A SHERIFF has told a former carer that she "abused" the trust of an elderly man when she stole from him.

Vikki Birrell was caught out by the man's niece who noticed his money disappearing.

Sheriff Charles Macnair told her that if she hadn't pleaded guilty she would undoubtedly have gone to prison when he sentenced her at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Birrell, 30, of Maxwell Crescent, previously admitted that between March 9 and 29, 2016, both dates inclusive at an address in Lochgelly, during the course of her employment as a care assistant she did steal £110 in money.

Depute fiscal Carrie Stevens said the elderly man was 85 years-old and received help from carers four times a day.

The man's niece, who also regularly checks on him, was aware that her uncle kept money in a wallet for services like the window cleaner.

One day she noticed that there was money missing.

"Every time she attended she noticed there was a small amount of money missing each time," Ms Stevens said.

"Following that she decided to put a camera in her uncle's living room and placed £20 in the wallet.

"The next day she checked and noticed that money was missing and when she viewed the CCTV footage she could see the face of the accused in uniform removing the money."

The niece asked her uncle if he had given any money to anyone that would explain why it was missing but he confirmed he hadn't.

The woman then contacted the police and care company.

A total of £110 was taken by Birrell. She explained to police that she was going through financial difficulties at the time.

Defence solicitor Pete Robertson said: "Ms Birrell was suffering hardship down to the break-up of a relationship.

"She was in £2500 of debt and her employment was only covering her living expenses.

"She has made retribution and had paid back the £110 to the complainer.

"She is extremely remorseful for the incident.

"She knows the impact this offence would have, and it has brought a great deal of stress."

Sheriff Charles Macnair said: "You were employed as a carer for an elderly gentleman and on more than one occasion you abused the trust and stole from him.

"It's only through the fortunate eagle eye of his niece that you did not continue with that criminal behaviour."

Sheriff Macnair imposed a community payback order of 280 hours unpaid work.