A SCOT being sought for questioning over a #93,000 bank fraud has been found in Australia, where he is awaiting trial for the theft of almost half-a-million dollars.

Falkirk-born Brian Goldie emigrated in 1992, almost two years before warrants were issued at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for his arrest in connection with the disappearance of money from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

He left behind his wife Caroline, was divorced, and immediately remarried - a move which gave him legal residency in Australia.

The marriage, however, ended after just 18 months when he was caught having an affair.

After his arrest earlier this year for the alleged theft of A$417,515 from Murrin Murrin, one of the world's biggest nickel mining companies, the immigration service said they wanted him deported back to the UK.

Mr Goldie is now awaiting a decision on whether he will stand trial in Australia or be sent back to face justice in Edinburgh.

The details emerged at a tribunal hearing in Queensland to decide on whether to grant Mr Goldie, 32, a visa to stay in Australia.

The tribunal heard claims that the computer expert was a former supervisor with the Royal Bank of Scotland when he allegedly defrauded his employers in Edinburgh, apparently because he had a grudge against them.

He started work for the Royal Bank in 1989, rising from trainee bank officer to supervisor.

The fraud allegations are centred on a company called Oil Tech Pumps Ltd. The Australian authorities were told the company never traded and a total of #93,374 was paid out of company accounts into personal accounts, including five in Mr Goldie's name.

On November 25, 1994, warrants were issued at Edinburgh Sheriff Court against Mr Goldie and two other men, Mr William Harrison and Mr James Cochrane, who were all involved with Oil Tech Pumps Ltd.

The Australian tribunal heard Mr Goldie was also accused of a #24,500 fraud over three cars bought from Peoples Motors in West Lothian by Oil Tech Pumps Ltd.