Former HIV Scotland boss told to pay £5,000 he embezzled to charity

The former chief executive of HIV Scotland has been ordered to repay money he embezzled from the charity to a similar organisation.

Nathan Sparling, 35, spent £5,000 of the charity's money on Amazon deliveries and Uber trips while serving in the role between 2019 and 2021.

At a previous appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, he offered to pay the money back to another organisation after HIV Scotland shut down in 2023.

Sheriff John Cook said that £5,000 in compensation should instead be paid to Waverley Care, which supports those living with the illness, while also ordering Sparling to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Sparling, of Bridgeton, Glasgow, 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.

In April, the court heard Sparling had been authorised to make purchases up to £50 using HIV Scotland funds if it was for charity reasons, but anything above that amount had to be authorised by another member of staff.

He was suspended from his position after a colleague noticed a number of taxi journeys had been charged to the account.

An investigation found about £2,000 was spent on journeys on the ride-sharing app Uber, while a further £3,000 was spent on Amazon packages including "groceries and other technical goods" sent to Sparling's home.

HIV Scotland shut down in March 2023, citing funding pressures and the resignations of board members among the reasons.

Sentencing, Sheriff Cook said Sparling's actions constituted a "breach of trust".

He said Waverley Care had "similar objectives" to HIV Scotland after agreeing to allow Sparling the opportunity to repay the money.

Faith Currie, procurator fiscal for Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders, said: "Nathan Sparling committed an egregious breach of trust.

"He flagrantly took advantage of his position as a senior figure at HIV Scotland to embezzle public money from his employers.

"He showed no regard for the impact his crimes would have on those trying to run an important charity, as well as those who depend upon its work."