A BAR manager who embezzled more than £19,000 from the business avoided jail.

James Killen, 37, stole the cash from Lebowski's in Glasgow's Finnieston between October 22 and 30, 2018.

Killen, of Auchterarder, was employed as the general manager at the time.

Glasgow Times:

He took advantage of a new banking system to swipe £19,059.

Killen was caught after an audit into the banking process took place.

Killen pleaded guilty on Wednesday to the single charge of embezzlement at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Iain Fleming ordered Killen to do 225 hours of unpaid work.

He was also told to fork out £19,059.06 in an agreement between the Crown and the defence.

The court heard that Killen was employed as general manager of Lebowski's from 2015 until his 2018 arrest.

Two duty managers also worked with him at the time.

The owners of Lebowski's emailed senior employees, including Killen, about a new banking process in August 2018.

This stated that it was the responsibility of the duty managers to process and collate the takings.

The cash as well as a print-out of the takings were to be kept together.

The takings would be banked and a receipt obtained the following day.

A company audit by a senior manager took place in October 2018.

Prosecutor Victoria Keel said: "It became apparent that no banking receipts were available from October 22 to October 30.

"On checking with the bank, it was confirmed that this was not done."

Management spoke to Killen who provided "no explanation" but issued an apology for not following the new process.

He claimed that "personal issues" were to blame.

Killen was suspended pending an investigation which found that he had told the duty managers that he would be the only person dealing with the takings.

Killen would come in on his days off to do this.

Miss Keel added: "During those dates, the amount that should have been banked was £19,059.06.

"None of the amount was banked and was appropriated by Killen.

"What Killen did with the money is unknown to the prosecutor."

Killen was arrested and gave a "no comment" interview when quizzed.

Brian Fitzpatrick, defending, told the court: "He was going through a difficult personal period - there was a marital break down leading to excessive drinking and his judgment was affected."