A thieving florist has made just one repayment on £3000 compensation ordered by a court, writes Edwin Lawrence.
That was for £300 - and was made over a year ago, Ayr Sheriff Court heard.
Yet social media pages during that time show Annabel Laurenson on days out all over south-west Scotland.
They also show a new family car and pay-to-view sports channels in her family home.
Laurenson was lucky to escape jail when sentenced at Ayr Sheriff Court in February 2018.
She admitted stealing from the Nicola Jayne Flowers business in Girvan on dates between January 1, 2011 and December 8, 2017.
Laurenson was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, and to pay back £3000 in compensation to her former bosses.
The total value of cash and goods she stole was estimated at much more than this figure.
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And the hurt and distress caused to her former employers, who were also her friends, can’t be quantified.
Defence lawyer John Gallagher last week told Ayr Sheriff Court that Laurenson, 49, had completed her unpaid work.
But he admitted the only repayment she has made was the £300 she turned up at court with - on the day of her sentence in February last year.
Mr Gallagher claimed Laurenson, of Girvan’s Maxwell Street, had hoped to secure a loan from her father.
But he died in November, and the costs of his care and his funeral made this impossible.
“She is unemployed, but her husband is in work, and she is well aware this has to be repaid,” said Mr Gallagher.
The lawyer said the remainder of Laurenson’s father’s estate would have to be shared with her mother and siblings.
“How much is she likely to inherit?” asked Sheriff John Montgomery.
“I’m not sure,” said Mr Gallagher. “But not enough to pay this back.”
“The time for repayment has lapsed,” said Sheriff Montgomery bluntly.
Mr Gallagher insisted that Laurenson was anxious to pay the outstanding £2700.
He asked the sheriff to revoke the original payback order, and instruct a new compensation order.
Mr Gallagher said Laurenson could pay £80 per month, and Sheriff Montgomery agreed to the request.
Laurenson had worked at the popular Dalyrmple Street business for many years, and was a trusted member of staff.
Shop owner Nicola Jayne Purdie said she was ‘devastated’ to find out her colleague and friend was ripping her off.
She said at the time of last year’s sentence: “She stole a substantial amount of money and stock. There has been absolutely no remorse. She hasn’t said sorry. I feel betrayed. This is a family business and we were working together for 16 years.”Nicola Jayne said the theft came to light after she noticed discrepancies within the business.
Laurenson who shared family occasions with the Purdies, including parties, weddings and funerals, offered no explanation for her behaviour.
