FORMING a fraudulent scheme to obtain £149.99 of goods from his employer resulted in a £400 fine for a Hawick man.

Aaron Swan, of Stonefield Place, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to the offence which happened when he was employed as a team leader with the local Argos store between February 7 and March 3.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to activating his own gifts cards and processing excess stock as returns to obtain goods to the value of £149.99.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client had lost his employment as a result of the offence and was suffering from a low mood at the time.

Sheriff Vinit Khurana said: "It is a serious offence to commit fraud against your employer."

He reduced the fine from £600 to £400 to reflect the guilty plea.