Kelso and Selkirk pub cash embezzler handed jail term
A man who stole more than £40,000 from his ex-wife and two employers has been jailed for two years.
Christopher Pearson, 50, formerly of Tranent, East Lothian, pocketed more than £7,000 after selling shares belonging to his former wife.
The bookkeeper also embezzled about £33,000 from the Cross Keys Inn in Selkirk and Kelso's Waggon Inn.
Sheriff Paul Arthurson said he had a "bad record" of dishonesty and he had no choice but to jail him.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how Pearson was brought to justice after tax inspectors decided to monitor his practices.
However, before they could look at his methods, Pearson panicked and ran away to Newcastle.
Lothian and Borders Police launched a missing persons inquiry and found him after he decided to come forward to confess to his crimes.
The court was told he was suffering from depression and had "lost everything".
Pearson pled guilty to one charge of fraud and two charges of embezzlement.
He committed the offences between September 2007 and November 2009.