A VOLUNTEER who was caught embezzling almost £7,000 from Help for Heroes charity by his local pub has been given a community payback order.

John Kerr, 51, registered as a county co-ordinator with the charity and had an agreement with the Quarter Gill pub in Glasgow that he would exchange coins that had been donated for notes, because it made it easier for him to bank.

But suspicions were aroused when Kerr was living beyond his means and some of the notes given to him were marked and seen to be coming back over the bar.

After a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Kerr, from Scotstoun, Glasgow was Kerr was ordered to carry out 260 hours work in six months and pay back £1,815, the outstanding balance that Kerr owes the charity which he will repay at £25 a week.