A council accountant has been jailed for five years after admitting he stole close to £1m from his employer to fund a gambling addiction.
Between 2003 and 2022, Alan Doig, 57, transferred £934,343.30 from Gedling Borough Council into his own bank accounts.
Nottingham Crown Court heard how as a “trusted” Senior Assistant Accountant, Doig’s responsibilities included generating invoices and paying suppliers, using his knowledge of the systems to defraud the council.
The series of 86 fraudulent transactions was only discovered by a colleague when a change to legislation during Covid lockdowns forced Doig to alter his sophisticated system, highlighting discrepancies and raising suspicions.
Alan Doig stole six per cent of the council’s budgetJudge Nirmal Shant KC said: “You were a popular and credible individual who rose to a senior position of trust.”
The Judge stated in one year, Doig stole six per cent of the council’s budget.
“This was theft by you with a real and significant impact on each of the residents who live within that borough.”
“You stole from them,” she said. “You squandered their money on gambling.”
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He pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court
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Doig, of Bedale Road, Daybrook in Nottingham, pleaded guilty to obtaining a money transfer by deception and fraud by abuse of position in September.
The ex-finance accountant told police during investigations he had spent the stolen cash at online gambling websites.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Nabeel Dad, of Nottinghamshire Police’s fraud investigation unit, said: “Over a prolonged period spanning almost 20 years, Doig defrauded the council – and by default hard working taxpayers – out of a large amount of public money.
“He did express remorse throughout the investigation, and I hope this case serves as a reminder to people of how gambling can get out of control and ruin lives.”
The 20 year incident comes to light at a time when local authorities’ finances are extremely stretched.
Mike Hill, Gedling Borough Council’s Chief Executive said the council was in “shock” at the revelation.
“We are confident that this was an isolated incident by a man with a serious problem”.
Mr Hill continued: “We have a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and all of our staff are aware of this.”