Council manger stole £120,000 worth of laptops and iPads

Smith recorded on a spreadsheet the number of devices allocated to various groups including Restart Mental Health Services, children services and parenting services.

However, police were called in after an investigation by NHS counter fraud officers identified that 301 iPads and 129 laptops were missing from the data and could not be accounted for.

Some devices were delivered to Smith’s parents’ home as well as his own.

Out of 22 organisations that were due to receive the equipment from Glasgow City HSCP, only four matched in terms of what was purportedly issued to them and what was received.

A total of 119 devices were never recovered.

Fraser Gibson, procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said Smith had “committed an egregious betrayal of trust”.

“He took advantage of his position to embezzle equipment that was set aside to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” he said.

“He showed no regard for the impact his crimes would have on those adults and children who relied on support from Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership.

“Embezzlement is not a victimless crime. People who commit such crimes can expect to be held to account by prosecutors and the courts.”