Scottish Borders Council £23,775 fraud charge admitted

A clerical assistant has admitted embezzling nearly £24,000 while employed by Scottish Borders Council.

Ross Nichol, 25, of Nether Blainslie, near Lauder, admitted taking £23,775 over a 20-month period between January 2009 and August 2010.

The offence was committed while he was working at the council's headquarters in Newtown St Boswells.

Sentence was deferred at Selkirk Sheriff Court until 24 January and Nichol was granted bail.