A BORDERS man has been sentenced to two years in jail today at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after defrauding a local company of £100,000.

Brian Shackleton embezzled the cash from the knackers yard where he worked, near his Newtown St Boswells home.

The 61-year-old raided the accounts of  SB & Co Ltd in Charlesfield Industrial Estate over a five year period up until August 2012.

He blew the cash on expensive holidays, his mortgage and a family caravan.

The company is the only dead stock collection service and knackers yard in the Borders.

Shackleton's crime was only discovered after the firm’s accountant died and it was found that unexplained amounts of money were transferred from the business bank account. 

With the assistance of forensic accountants, police investigated records between 2007 and 2012 and it was established sizeable quantities of cash had been removed and covered up by false accounting. 

Detectives found that Mr Shackleton had misappropriated funds, which he used for his own person gain. 

Speaking following today’s sentencing, Detective Inspector Arron Clinkscales from the Economic Crime Unit said: “Brian Shackleton embezzled a huge sum of cash from his business, which he then used to fund luxury holidays, a caravan and static home, as well as paying off the mortgage on his residential property. 

“All of this had been done without the knowledge or consent of his business partner, who had a modest lifestyle in comparison. 

“Had it not been for the death of the company’s accountant he would have undoubtedly continued to defraud the company of more money and his sentence today reflects the thorough investigation undertaken by both the Economic Crime Unit and our forensic accountant colleagues to uncover the true extent of Shackleton’s crime. 

“Whenever we receive information relating to financial crime of any nature we will work alongside our relevant partners to bring those responsible to justice.”