Former Wick gala group to wind up after stolen cash is repaid
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SWINDLED out of £22,000 by one of its own members, a Wick charity can finally be wound up after it paid back all the money it owed to its creditors.
Wick Town Improvements Association (WTIA) is to be officially wound up after paying off its debts.
The group, which ran the town’s annual gala, was left in limbo after its previous treasurer, Karen Spruce, misappropriated the five-figure sum between April, 2005 and June, 2008. She admitted embezzlement at Wick Sheriff Court in February, 2010.
She was placed on probation for 18 months and told to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work in the community. The 55-year-old school assistant was also told to repay the money or face jail.
She then moved to the Western Isles, and the case was transferred to Stornoway Sheriff Court. Despite promising to pay back the outstanding £9,500 within 18 months, she had only raised £400 by the deadline, but was granted more time. The contents of a number of letters sent to the court prompted Sheriff David Sutherland to order a review of Spruce and her partner’s finances, including their income and assets.
The final instalment was paid by Mrs Spruce last September, and group member Lorna Ross said that she was relieved that WTIA could finally pay all its creditors.
“All the debts have now been paid off, and we will be holding a meeting next week to bring everything to a close,” she said.
“Wick Town Improvements Association has been waiting for a long time to pay back everybody, but we have done so now.”
A meeting to formally wind up WTIA is to take place at the St Fergus Bowling Club on January 23. In the wake of the scandal, a new group, the Wick Gala Committee, was set up to take over the running of the gala.
