A FINANCE director has embezzled thousands of pounds from a dental practice to fund his wedding.

Stuart Anderson took £35,000 from the accounts of Dental Express and splashed out almost half of that amount on his wedding to wife Melanie.

Anderson joined the dental firm in 2009 and took over financial control of the practice the following year after company founder Dr Anne Saxby became unwell.

The 35-year-old finance expert then proceeded to fleece the Edinburgh firm over a 30-month period until his scam was uncovered following a bank audit.

Now the disgraced director is facing a jail sentence after he admitted embezzling £35,000 during a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The court heard Anderson, from Prestonpans, East Lothian, used around £13,000 of the stolen funds to finance his nuptials where around 200 guests enjoyed the celebrations.

It is believed Anderson married wife Melanie at the exclusive 15th century Dalhousie Castle in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian in July 2012.

It is thought the newlyweds then jetted off to a secluded Spanish resort for a two-week honeymoon.

Prosecutor Anthony Steele told the court Anderson was caught out after the company experienced financial problems in 2012 and a Royal Bank of Scotland audit was carried out.

The bank audit showed thousands of pounds had gone missing from the firm’s accounts and police were called in. Father-of-one Anderson was subsequently sacked from his position as company director in August 2012.