Man who embezzeled more than £124,000 worth of electronic devices meant for vulnerable people has been sentenced.

A 37-year-old council worker who embezzled almost £125,000 worth of electronic devices meant for vulnerable people during the COVID pandemic has been sentenced.

Bobby Lee Smith held a managerial position within Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) where he oversaw applications for the “Connecting Scotland Project” on behalf of the HSCP. The scheme was designed to support low-income individuals who had no internet access and were digitally isolated.

But Smith, of East Kilbride, abused his position by stealing 129 Chromebook laptops and 301 iPads with a combined value of £124,644.96.

As a health improvement lead, he was responsible for the management and delivery of any goods to the Glasgow City HSCP’s service users -including those on low incomes and others who were “digitally excluded”.

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

Bobby Lee Smith, 37, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court

placeholder image — Bobby Lee Smith, 37, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court

But police were called in when an investigation by NHS counter fraud officers revealed that the devices were missing from data and could not be accounted for. It emerged that some devices were delivered to both his own home and that of his parents.

Only four of the 22 organisations who were expected to receive the equipment took delivery of them. 119 devices have never been recovered.

Smith has been ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and faces a restriction of liberty order for nine months. It comes after a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court found him guilty of embezzlement.

He was also made subject of a community payback order.

Fraser Gibson, Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said: “Bobby Lee Smith 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 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.

“This offending involved embezzling a significant amount of public funds. He has now been brought to account for his crimes.

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