A DUNFERMLINE woman used cash from Christmas savings funds to pay her bills after losing her job.

Lisa Black was this week ordered to pay back £1750 to Park Retail Ltd after money after she didn't pass on money she was given when working as an agent for the company.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, Black, 32, of Burns Street, had previously admitted that between January 1, 2018 and April 23, 2018, she did, while acting as an agent and savings collector of money on behalf of Park Retail Ltd, embezzle £1750.

Depute Procurator Fiscal Jamie Roy said the Park Christmas savings scheme allowed people to save throughout the year.

"The accused was an agent and had a client base from whom she was taking weekly sums of cash paid into her private account," he said.

"The complainers were notified by the company itself that there was an issue in regards to the accused and that she had admitted fraudulent activity on her account."

Solicitor James Moncrieff said his client had been collecting for the company for a number of years without incident.

"It was paid into her account and thereafter she kept account of what money she was due and it was paid when requested," he told the court. "They paid in instalments up until October when vouchers were sent out.

"She had lost her job and money going into her account, she accepted, she used for bills. It was not her intention to keep this money. It was intended to make up for the shortfall over a period but the company pulled the plug.

"She has lost her employment because of her difficulties due to this case."

Sheriff Kevin Veal ordered Black to do 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and pay £1750 in compensation back to Park.

"It seems to me this is a breach of trust," he said. "If you are in a position of trust, you must abide by it."