A woman who sold tickets for Hibernian matches to away fans then pocketed the cash herself has been sentenced to 250 hours of community service.

 

Judith Todd, 38, who worked for a contractor which supplied stewards to the club, stole £3,800 at SPL games between September and October 2011.

 

When unsold tickets for away fans were returned to Easter Road, Todd, from Penicuik, would put them aside.

 

She then sold them to fans on match day and kept the proceeds for herself.

 

The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to fraud at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.

Mental health

 

The scam was uncovered after bosses at the club grew suspicious about what was happening on match days.

 

Todd admitted defrauding Hibs at matches against Dundee United and St Johnstone.

 

Sentence had been deferred for the court to obtain reports about her character.

 

At the earlier appearance, the court heard that Todd had entered into the scam because she had financial and mental health problems.

 

Sheriff Scott said: "This is a very serious matter, to steal from your employer is a very serious breach of trust.

 

"However, I am persuaded that you were under substantial pressure in relation to your mental health problems and finances.

 

"In this case, you will perform 250 hours of unpaid work in the community."

 

A Hibs spokesman said: "The individual was never an employee of Hibernian Football Club.

 

"She was employed by G4S Events, who are a contractor providing stewarding services at Easter Road stadium."

 

A G4S spokesman said: "This scam was uncovered due to the proactive investigation instigated by the club, supported closely by G4S and the police.

 

"We employ more than 20,000 people in our manned guarding business and the vast majority carry out their work with integrity and professionalism.

 

"We will always do what we can to help prosecute any employee who has abused their position with our customers or broken our trust."

Should have sentenced her to watch Monday nights game over and over again for 250 hours on video. That would prove to me more of a punishment

Should have sentenced her to watch Monday nights game over and over again for 250 hours on video. That would prove to me more of a punishment

 

Torture was outlawed as a punishment in this country a while back Al. 1800s I think. Would have thought you would have remember reading about it in the papers at the time.