Architect who stole £350k from charity faces £1.5m court action

Ian Brash admitted embezzling £358,832 from the Dr Robert Malcolm Trust between August 12, 2010 and September 10, 2014 when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last year.

The retired architect had been a trustee for the charity, which helped provide financial assistance to British medical students and doctors.

According to reports, Mr Brash used the money to purchase an Alpha Romeo, two new Land Rovers and paid tens of thousands of pounds to fund deposits for buy-to-let properties for his children. He also bought a wind turbine and paid off large vet bills.

Brash was ordered to sell his East Lothian castle to pay back the embezzled sums earlier this year.

Now at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, it was disclosed that Crown lawyers are seeking £1,590,512.69 from Brash using proceeds of crime legislation.

Sentencing on Brash has been deferred until July after Sheriff Frank Crowe heard the retired architect is “anxious” to repay the charity.

Mark Stewart, QC, representing Brash, said: “Mr Brash is still anxious about the matter. He is willing to repay the sum to the charity to ensure it returns to the way things used to be.”

Brash will be sentenced on July 15.