A WOMAN stole money to pay vet bills.

Catherine Rollo pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court for embezzling funds.

The 41-year-old embezzled £16,655 from her company to pay household bills as well as paying veteran bills for her sick dog.

Rollo, employed by Scott-Moncrieff accounting firm was appointed as a finance officer for ESEP, a consultancy business based in Bothwell Street, Glasgow.

Prosecutor Connor MacIntyre: "Payments were transferred under the username Finance999 that was registered to Catherine Rollo."

Rollo made 29 individual transactions from her username using the company's online banking and smart cards to her own banking account.

The individual payments vary between £100 to £2500 during February, 14 2013 to July 1 2013.

An internal investigation carried out by the company found that only Rollo and another employee were able to access these.

Craig Cunningham, defending, said: “The money was used to manage rent, bills and her veterinary bills, as her dog was very ill.”

“She had to find a solution to her financial problems.”

“She would like to pay it back and she 100% accepts her guilt in this.”

It was also revealed that she is now a receptionist at taxi company and was previously in a long-term relationship.

Sheriff Patricia Pryce said: “She was in a trusted position as a finance officer and used her position to systematically embezzle those funds.”

Rollo, now of Bognor Regis, Sussex, was sentenced to eight months.