An NHS manager in Scotland has admitted to stealing over £8,000 from doctors who were providing care to seriously ill children. Jacqueline Robertson, who worked at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, took the money over an 11-month period to fuel her gambling addiction, spending up to £100 daily on bets.
Robertson, a 59-year-old cleaning manager, pleaded guilty to embezzling the funds between January and November 2018. The court heard that she was responsible for collecting payments from doctors staying overnight at the hospital, but instead, she pocketed the money. The scam was uncovered when authorities investigated the missing funds.
During the court proceedings, Robertson expressed deep remorse for her actions. Her defense lawyer revealed that she developed a gambling habit shortly before the embezzlement began and found herself in significant financial trouble. As a result, she resorted to taking the cash meant for the hospital.
The seriousness of the charges led to the court deferring Robertson’s sentencing to the following month. The case highlighted the devastating impact of gambling addiction and financial distress on individuals’ behavior and decision-making.
