THE former Treasurer and Secretary of Ayrshire Bowling Association has been given a further reprieve after previously admitting embezzling over £4,000. 

64-year-old George McGregor of Turnberry Drive in Kilmarnock appeared again at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court to find out his fate - but sentence was deferred for another year due to issues with a pension. 

McGregor had previously admitted the theft of £4,246.32 from the Association between June 30 and September 4, last year. 

Gillian Swanney, defending, said that information had been received regarding his pension and a letter stated that the type of pension does not allow a him to lift a lump sum but this should change as of April 1, 7, when McGregor turns 65. 

She said that £600 had been paid back and that a standing order of £100 per month had been set up and that her client was keen for it to be brought to an end because it had been ongoing for some time. 

Sheriff McDonald noted that McGregor was in crutches and Miss Swanney said it was because McGregor had received knee replacement surgery two weeks ago. 

She added that the repayment goes some way but that it was still a substantial sum and that the court may still consider a fine or unpaid work, depending on his fitness. 

Sheriff McDonald said: “This was a substantial sum of money and you were in a position of trust.

“You took their money. 

“I will defer sentence for one year for you to pay off the whole sum by that stage but continue to pay £100 per month but this won’t be the end of it. There will be a punishment element.”

Sentence was deferred until June 19, 2017 for an updated Criminal Justice Social Work Report, particularly for unpaid work and it is expected that he will be sentenced on that date.