RYAN BURNSIDE FROM WEST LOTHIAN SENTENCED FOR FRAUD AND BREACH OF TRUST IN SCOTLAND

Ryan Burnside, a 35-year-old resident of West Lothian, has been handed a prison sentence of two years and four months by Stirling Sheriff Court following his conviction on charges related to a serious breach of trust and financial misconduct.

The incident dates back to November 2008, when Burnside was employed as a senior financial adviser at Albannach, a company that has since been rebranded as Towergate Financial Services. Despite his dismissal from the firm, Burnside continued to falsely claim that he remained authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), giving him a false sense of legitimacy in his dealings.

Using this fabricated authority, Burnside engaged in a manipulative scheme targeting a client named Margaret Gallivan. He persuaded her to transfer a substantial sum of £150,000 from her retirement savings, claiming that her investments were being managed overseas and that her funds were secure. In reality, Burnside was using her money to fund his personal gambling addiction, a fact he concealed from her.

He further deceived Gallivan by lying about owning large plots of land and other valuable assets, creating a false impression of his financial stability and credibility. His actions constituted a significant financial scam, characterized by deception and betrayal of trust.

The court found Burnside guilty of defrauding his client and breaching her trust in a manner that caused considerable financial harm. His sentencing reflects the severity of his misconduct and the breach of professional ethics involved in his actions.