A founding member of Paisley-based PACE Theatre Company has been jailed after embezzling £75,000 from the charity.
David McCann, 62, who lives in Glasgow, pilfered the money from the UK’s largest youth theatre over four years. The organisation counts James McAvoy, Paolo Nutini and Richard Madden as alumni.
Those behind the School Wynd group said the sentencing on Tuesday (November 26) drew a line under what was “a very sad and difficult episode for everyone involved”, the Paisley Daily Express reports.
McCann, who also performed under the name David Wallace, stole the cash between December 1, 2013, and July 25, 2017, while employed as the director and chief executive of the Paisley company. Prior to his trial starting in September at Paisley Sheriff Court, the disgraced panto dame admitted to transferring the money from PACE’s bank account to his personal bank account and to using the company credit card for personal use.
Prosecutors alleged the 62-year-old embezzled £108,831 but his plea of guilty to £75,000 was accepted by the Crown. He had reportedly pledged to repay much of the money with the support of loans from friends and family. However, Sheriff Amel Elfallah told McCann there was no alternative to prison.
Donald Urquhart, chair of the board at PACE Theatre Company, said it was reviewing potential civil action in order to recoup the cash. He said: “This should be the conclusion to a very sad and difficult episode for everyone involved, including our staff.
“At PACE, we have moved on and we have gone from strength to strength. The board now will review its options with regard to any further civil action.”
Grant Mason, chief executive of the company, added: “PACE welcomes a resolution to this matter. I’d like to thank staff and the board for their continued hard work and dedication while the case has been ongoing.
“PACE has made significant strides since David McCann’s removal from the company, achieving a turnaround in its financial performance and broadening the reach of our activities, and I have absolutely no doubt that PACE will continue to thrive.”
PACE was founded in 1998 as a non-profit-making theatre company by McCann and others, and includes stars such as Paolo Nutini, Richard Madden and James McAvoy amongst its alumni.
It focuses on developing and nurturing young creative talent through performing arts experiences.
It runs PACE Youth Theatre, the largest youth theatre in the UK with over 1,000 young people attending each week, and produces the annual pantomime at Paisley Arts Centre along with other professional theatre and touring productions.
Its 2024 production of Aladdin begins today and runs at Paisley Arts Centre until January 5, 2025.
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