A WOMAN embezzled tens of thousands of pounds from the Greenock company she worked for then lavished expensive treats on herself — including a luxury trip to New York.

Sharin Mooney, pictured, carried out a doctored invoice scam under the noses of bosses at windfarm firm 2020 Renewables for nearly nine months before her swindle began to unravel.

The 38-year-old former accounts assistant used some of the stolen money — which totalled £44,000 — to fund a stay at New York’s iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel, it’s understood.

Mooney — who hasn’t paid back a penny of what she stole — had bought specialist document-altering software on the internet and used it to change a series of invoices in order for money to pour directly into her personal bank account, Greenock Sheriff Court was told.

She even made it look as though the personal assistant (PA) to 2020s managing director had authorised the payments, the largest of which was for more than £8,000 and was siphoned into her account just before she jetted off to America, it’s understood.

Prosecutor Pamela Brady told the court that suspicions arose after a staff member noticed a ‘discrepancy’ with a copy invoice and had asked Mooney to help locate the original.

Mrs Brady said: “A number of weeks went by and the accused did not produce the invoice. She said that she was too busy.”

Further conflicting documentation was subsequently discovered as it emerged that more than £16,000 was missing from the company’s accounts.

In September, October and November 2014 amounts totalling £5,345.28, £6,370.02 and £4,887.60 respectively had vanished.

Fiscal depute Mrs Brady said: “It was noted that all of the invoices had requested payment to the account number and sort code that were provided by the accused when she started her employment with the company in August 2013.

“They appeared to have been signed off by the PA to the managing director.

Further enquiries were carried out. The managing director spoke to the PA and she indicated that she did not sign off on the invoices.”

The court heard that an extensive internal investigation at 2020 Renewables’ Pottery Street HQ uncovered a total of eight transactions of company cash into Mooney’s account between April 2 and December 23 2014.

Mrs Brady said: “The total amounted to some £44,000.

“The managing director called a meeting with the company solicitor and the accused and the accused admitted that she had stolen the money.

“She stated that she had financial problems.”

However, the Telegraph understands that analysis of Mooney’s bank account by police who had been granted a search warrant to pore over her history of transactions revealed the New York trip, her stay at the Waldorf Astoria, a purchase from luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co and numerous airline flights.

Mrs Brady said: “There were payments to what appeared to be loan companies but there were also a number of leisure activities, restaurant bills, flight costs and significant spending in New York City.”

She added: “A detective sergeant spoke with the PA at 2020 Renewables and advised that software had been purchased from a website that allowed documents to be altered — those documents being the invoices.

“The purchase of the software was linked to the accused.

“I have no note of any repayment having been made.” 

Defence lawyer Ellen Macdonald said: “There is a background of financial difficulty.

“Luxury items were purchased but there were also considerable payments to payday loans — sometimes three or four in one day.”

Ms Macdonald said that Mooney — who now has another full-time job elsewhere — took on ‘family debt’ following the sudden death of her father.
Sheriff Derek Hamilton asked: “Has she put any money aside?”

Ms Macdonald replied: “No, the debt continues. She could make repayment but it would take some time.”

Sheriff Hamilton deferred sentence for a background report and an electronic tagging order assessment.

The lawman told Mooney: “This is an extremely serious matter. It may be that I am left with no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.

“This was a significant investment.”

At this point, Mooney, whose address was not given in court, began weeping in the dock.

She is due to learn her fate on August 17.