Embezzling accountant is struck off

John Doyle,65, of Newton Mearns, was sentenced in June to six months in jail, reduced from eight after pleading guilty, after taking the cash over a six-year period while managing secretary of Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club in Bridge of Weir.

He had been charged with embezzling £37,477.30 but struck a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to pocketing £25,000.

He used a club bank account, credit card and Paypal account to make personal purchases, including golfing equipment.

Having originally appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court in May over the crimes, the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland this week said Doyle had “failed to adhere to the fundamental principle of professional behaviour contained in Section 150 of the ICAS Code of Ethics, and is therefore liable to disciplinary action.”

An ICAS ruling read: “Under operation of Investigation Regulation 2.16, Mr Doyle has accepted an order of exclusion from membership and a requirement to pay the reasonable costs of the investigation.”