Pantomime dame banged up after stealing £75,000 from theatre company

David McCann has been jailed for 18 months for embezzlement after stealing from the arts charity that helped launch the careers of some of Paisley's most famous sons

David McCann, a founding member of the highly successful PACE Theatre which helped the likes of James McAvoy and Paolo Nutini early in their careers, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for embezzlement on Monday. McCann was led away to the cells of Paisley Sheriff Court after confessing to stealing £75,000 from the arts charity that kick-started the careers of some of the Scottish town's most famous sons.

Those associated with the company stated that the sentencing marked the end of what was "a very sad and difficult episode for everyone involved". Panto dame McCann, who also performed under the name David Wallace, stole the cash between December 1, 2013, and July 25, 2017, while serving as the director and chief executive of PACE Theatre.

Before his trial began in September, the disgraced panto dame admitted to transferring the money from PACE's bank account to his personal one and using the company credit card for personal expenses. Prosecutors claimed the 62 year old had embezzled £108,831, but his plea of guilty to £75,000 was accepted by the Crown.

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He had reportedly promised to repay much of the money with the help of loans from friends and family, reports the Daily Record. However, Sheriff Amel Elfallah told McCann, of Lomond Drive, Glasgow, that there was no alternative to jail.

Donald Urquhart, chair of the board at PACE Theatre Company, said it was considering potential civil action to recover the money, he said: "This should be the conclusion to a very sad and difficult episode for everyone involved, including our staff."

Grant Mason, chief exec of the firm, stated: "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.

"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."

Established in 1998 as a non-profit theatre group by McCann and colleagues, and boasting famous alumni such as Paolo Nutini, Richard Madden and James McAvoy, PACE is dedicated to cultivating young creative talent through rich performing arts experiences.

Running the UK's largest youth theatre, PACE Youth Theatre, which sees over 1,000 youngsters engage each week, it also produces the annual pantomime at Paisley Arts Centre among other professional theatre projects and touring shows.