IT worker jailed for five years after defrauding Dundee Council out of £1 million

An IT worker who defrauded a council of more than £1 million to cover his gambling debts has been jailed for more than five years.

Mark Conway, 52, had high-level access to Dundee City Council's financial systems and created numerous false invoices that he paid into his own accounts, the Crown Office said.

The scheme lasted from August 2009 until May 2016 and invoices ranged from nearly £6,000 to more than £27,000, with the overall amount obtained £1,065,085.32.

Prosecutors said just £7,000 has been returned to the council.

Conway, from Brechin, Angus, admitting defrauding the council earlier this month and was sentenced to five years and four months in prison at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

The Crown Office said invoices were submitted to the council with the name of genuine suppliers but the bank account details of Conway.

Nicky Patrick, procurator fiscal for homicide and major crime, said: Mark Conway was convicted of a serious offence - a fraud over a seven-year period.

It is a crime made all the more serious due to the trust placed in him by his employers and the transfer of a large amount of city council funds into his own accounts.

We welcome the sentence, which reflects the seriousness of the offences. When you are in a position of public trust, you will be held accountable.'