IT boss jailed for plundering Scottish library

The technology boss of the National Library of Scotland has been jailed for two years for embezzling money.

David Dinham, a 33-year-old Australian, was chief information officer for the library and in charge of a £1.8m budget to digitise the collection.

After making a small purchase on his company credit card, Dinham realised no checks were being made. Between 2006 and 2010 he blew £260,000.

Dinham also handed his own company, Raith Solutions, library contracts worth £240,000, The Scotsman reports.

Authorities found Raith, of which Dinham was sole director, won 10 contracts. It is not clear what, if any, services were provided.

A confiscation hearing to recover the rest of the £350,000 will take place in September. Dinham has already paid back £150,000 and is involved with the Baptist Church.

Despite defence claims that he was suffering from depression and calls from social workers that he be spared a custodial sentence so his treatment could continue, Sheriff Alastair Noble said prison was inevitable given the gravity of the offences. ®