A former SNP MP who embezzled thousands of pounds from pro-independence groups has been jailed.
Natalie McGarry, 37, spent the money – more than £25,600 – on rent, a holiday to Spain with her husband, transfers of money to him, and other lifestyle spending, Glasgow Sheriff Court was told.
McGarry pleaded guilty to two charges of embezzlement when she appeared at the court on April 24.
READ MORE: Former SNP MP Natalie McGarry admits embezzling £25,000
Her attempt to withdraw the guilty pleas at a later hearing was refused by Sheriff Paul Crozier.
On Thursday, she was jailed by the sheriff for 18 months.
Allan Macleod, representing McGarry, said she continues to maintain she is innocent of the charges.
McGarry had admitted the charges but then tried to withdraw her guilty pleas (PA)
He said she has had mental health issues over the years, including depression and anxiety and also suffered from post-partum depression following the birth of her daughter in November 2017.
McGarry sobbed in the dock as her lawyer told the court that earlier this week she suffered a “devastating” miscarriage while six weeks pregnant.
Mr Macleod said: “She describes her life as almost intolerable.
READ MORE: Natalie McGarry: the rise and fall of the ex-SNP MP jailed for 18 months
“Two weeks ago she considered that life could not get any worse, and then it did.
“She was pregnant and miscarried, that happened on Sunday and that is something that for her has been absolutely devastating.
“She is at the lowest point in her life she has ever been. Her career is ruined, her reputation is in tatters, she has lost friends, colleagues, her reputation and job, and now her child.”
Mr Macleod said the family’s finances are in a “perilous” state and McGarry’s main concern is for her daughter, who is 18 months old. He said her husband has two jobs, one at unsociable hours, to support them.
READ MORE: Former SNP MP Natalie McGarry loses bid to change guilty plea over £25,600 embezzlement
McGarry was elected as an SNP member in 2015 but resigned the party whip following the emergence of fraud allegations – which she denied at the time – continuing in Parliament as an independent.
She was charged by police in 2017 over fraud relating to potential missing funds from Women for Independence, which was set up in the run-up to the 2014 Scottish referendum, and the SNP’s Glasgow Regional Association.
McGarry, who represented Glasgow East, did not seek re-election in 2017.
Women For Independence said they were "pleased that the trial is now over."
In a statement, a spokesperson for WFI said: "The missing money represented donations from women and men across Scotland to support the organisations campaigning for Independence. For many these donations were a real sacrifice.
"Women for Independence has been long associated with campaigning for justice for women caught up in the criminal justice system.
"We were instrumental in the campaign to halt the building of the proposed super prison for women in 2014 and we launched Justice Watch in 2015 which has been acting as a citizens' witness programme regarding the reality for women and criminal justice.
"The general pattern of offending by women is such that we believe most women serving custodial sentences would be better served by community disposals which do not disrupt families, children or in the long run cost more but which can demonstrate real benefits to women to cut re-offending while making a valuable contribution to the community.
"We had no influence on the sentencing diet and recognise that we were not the only party injured by her actions. We respect the sheriff's decision given his comments on the seriousness of the matter.
"We are frustrated however that there are not more alternatives to prison available for sheriffs to consider and we will continue to campaign on this issue."
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