Alloa charity treasurer loses her job as police probe missing £12,000

AN ALLOA charity worker has been sacked after £12,000 to help the disabled went missing. The action was taken against Lesley Talbot, 42, after an audit at the Friends of ALLOA Centre last month.

Mrs Talbot was treasurer of the charity, which helps adults with learning disabilities. She also worked as a full-time catering assistant at the centre.

There were rumours that staff had reported £200 of holiday money had disappeared for the centre, run by Clackmannanshire Social Work department.

Mrs Talbot, a former Lornshill Academy pupil, has been involved in the catering sector all her life and had worked in a number of establishments across the Wee County. It’s believed she lives in Henderson Avenue with her husband Brian.

Central Scotland Police were made aware of the issue on June 15 and a spokesperson said: “Our inquiry is at this state still ongoing.”

Staff and parents of the disabled users were informed of the missing money. One furious woman told the Wee County News: “That is a  lot of money to go missing from a charity let alone a small one as this.”

Friends of the ALLOA Centre is a registered charitable organisation. Its members are people with a learning disability who attend The Alloa Centre, their families and staff.  Its main activity is fund raising to enhance the lives of the people who attend the centre.

Clackmannanshire Council chief executive Angela Leitch said: “I can confirm Mrs Talbot has been dismissed for gross misconduct.”