A former dental practice manager in Coatbridge has been found guilty of stealing equipment valued at £120,000 from his previous employer. Alan Thomson, aged 36, also attempted to transfer £50,000 from a savings account by impersonating his former boss. Airdrie Sheriff Court revealed that Thomson, who had a significant drug addiction, committed these crimes in order to settle his debts.
Thomson’s criminal activities took place over a four-day period in July last year, where he stole dental equipment, electrical items, and computer gear from Coatbridge Family Dental Care. Additionally, in the following month, he engaged in a fraudulent scheme by pretending to be the male co-owner of the dental practice. This scheme involved obtaining dental equipment from suppliers and trying to transfer a significant sum of money from the co-owner’s account.
The court learned that Thomson began working as the practice manager at the dental surgery in February the same year but was dismissed within three months due to underperformance. The prosecution stated that Thomson used his access code to deactivate and reset the alarm system at the premises, facilitating the theft. Furthermore, he attempted to change the password and phone number linked to the co-owner’s savings account to carry out the fraudulent money transfer.
Despite admitting to his crimes during police interviews, Thomson mentioned providing access to another individual to break in and steal the equipment from the dental practice. His defence lawyer highlighted Thomson’s drug addiction as a key factor influencing his actions and decision-making process. The court deferred the sentencing to January for further background reports, with the sheriff hinting at an imminent custodial sentence for Thomson.
Earlier this year, Thomson was fined £470 by Edinburgh Sheriff Court for stealing merchandise while managing a store in 2022. The sheriff warned Thomson about the potential prison sentence awaiting him for his recent offences.
In summary, Alan Thomson’s actions not only led to significant financial losses for his former employer but also highlight the destructive impact of drug addiction on individuals. The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of succumbing to substance abuse and engaging in criminal activities to support such habits.