Disgraced Scots panto dame jailed after embezzling £75,000 from Paisley charity

Disgraced Pantomime Dame Sentenced to Jail for Stealing £75,000 from Paisley Charity

David McCann, a founding member of the renowned PACE Theatre Company, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for embezzling £75,000 from the Paisley-based arts charity. McCann, who also performed under the alias David Wallace, confessed to transferring funds from PACE’s bank account to his personal account and misusing the company credit card between December 1, 2013, and July 25, 2017, while serving as the company’s director and chief executive.

Before his trial at Paisley Sheriff Court in September, McCann, aged 62, admitted to embezzling £75,000 out of the total alleged amount of £108,831, a concession accepted by the Crown. Despite promises to repay a significant portion of the embezzled money with loans from acquaintances, McCann was sentenced to prison by Sheriff Amel Elfallah, ruling out any alternative punishment.

Donald Urquhart, chair of the board at PACE Theatre Company, expressed the resolve to explore civil actions to recover the stolen funds. In a statement to the Paisley Daily Express, Urquhart acknowledged the challenging circumstances surrounding the case, emphasising the company’s commitment to moving forward and expanding its impact. Grant Mason, PACE’s chief executive, extended gratitude to the staff and board members for their dedication amid the legal proceedings, highlighting the company’s positive performance following McCann’s departure.

Established in 1998 as a non-profit theatre organisation, PACE Theatre Company has nurtured talents such as Paolo Nutini, Richard Madden, and James McAvoy. The company focuses on fostering creative skills among young individuals through performing arts experiences, including the popular PACE Youth Theatre. Despite the setback caused by McCann’s actions, PACE continues to thrive in its mission to empower young talents and enrich the community through artistic endeavours.

The 2024 production of Aladdin, a yearly highlight at the Paisley Arts Centre, commenced today and will run until January 5, 2025. The impact of McCann’s theft on PACE’s operations underscores the importance of upholding transparency and accountability in charitable organisations, ensuring that funds are utilised for their intended purpose of supporting artistic initiatives and community development.