Avoiding the hell of addiction is actually quite easy. All you need to do is adopt responsible gambling behavior. Unfortunately, a few rare people who don’t follow these few common-sense rules end up suffering from compulsive gambling.
They then feel an overwhelming need to gamble, which can sometimes lead them to commit crimes. A similar case has just been brought to trial in Scotland. A heavily indebted gambling addict diverted approximately £223,000 in client refunds from a prestigious law firm into his own account.
Embezzlement detected during internal investigation
Today’s accused is 23-year-old Callum Scott, who has just been sentenced to 16 months in prison after admitting to the charges. For about four months, while a trainee at the law firm Aberdein Considine , one of Scotland’s largest, he diverted client refunds to his own bank account .
He set up this embezzlement in order to repay increasingly large loans he took out because of his gambling addiction.
Callum Scott’s actions were eventually uncovered following an internal investigation at the law firm, which was triggered when some clients inquired about why their refunds had not been processed. It was soon discovered that the intern had repeatedly entered his own bank details instead of those of clients when making certain refunds.
The embezzlement lasted for several months between August and November 2018. After it was uncovered by the internal investigation, Aberdein Considine called in the police.
An accused who overcame his expense and feels guilty and ashamed today
In defense of his client, Callum Scott’s lawyer explained that at the time of the events, the young man, who now works as a milkman, was going through particularly difficult times due to his problematic gambling habits. This forced him to accumulate significant debts. During this time, he was spending up to half of his monthly income on these debts and gambling.
Fortunately, he has managed to free himself from his addiction by facing his demons. He has also become a father, which has changed him greatly. Today, he struggles to even express in words how guilty and ashamed he feels. Looking back, he is completely horrified by the person he once was. In fact, he has already managed to repay nearly £160,000 of the total amount he embezzled.
Whatever happens, it must be recognized that this is a spectacular breach of trust. This is why the judge was forced to sentence him to prison, even though he is a first-time offender. This is why Callum Scott has just been sentenced by the courts to 16 months in prison in this case.
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