Former HIV Scotland boss admits embezzling £5,000 from charity

A former chief executive of HIV Scotland has admitted embezzling £5,000 from the charity.

Nathan Sparling made a series of payments to companies including Amazon and Uber while serving in the role between 2019 and 2021.

The 35-year-old, from Bridgeton, Glasgow, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court he "accepted full responsibility" for taking money from the organisation, which shut down in 2023.

He will return to court for sentencing in May, but offered to make a repayment of the funds to a "similar charity".

The court heard that the case had taken a "significant toll" on Sparling's health, including anxiety and heart failure.

Sparling, who was also a former adviser to an SNP MP, said he currently works in hospitality having left the role at HIV Scotland in December 2020.

He failed to appear at a previous hearing over the charge in October 2025.

During his time in the role, Sparling was authorised to make purchases up to £50 using HIV Scotland funds if it was for charity reasons.

However, the court was told anything above that value required authorisation from another member of staff.

A colleague noticed a large number of taxi journeys had been charged to the account and raised the issue with Sparling.

He was later suspended from his role.

The probe found about £2,000 was spent on journeys on the ride-sharing app Uber, while a further £3,000 was spent on Amazon packages that were sent to Sparling's home.

These were said to contain "groceries and other technical goods".

The court was told Sparling did not have authorisation for any of these purchases.

His lawyer said Sparling felt a "certain amount of complacency" as he had been working at the charity for a long time.

HIV Scotland closed down in March 2023 due to a "number of significant challenges" including the resignations of board members.

Concerns over governance and a "precarious funding climate" were also cited as factors.

Sheriff John Cook deferred sentencing until 20 May for background reports to be completed.