A carer who stole money from a frail 80-year-old man to pay a holiday deposit escaped jail at Perth Sheriff Court.
Carol Kent, 23, of Potterhill Flats in Perth, admitted taking £780 from the man she was supposed to be looking after.
She returned £600, but had already spent £180 on the holiday deposit.
Depute fiscal Jim Eodonable said Kent was one of the carers entrusted with the victim’s money because of his frailty.
Suspicions were aroused when she could not be contacted after he found the money had been taken.
Defending solicitor John McLaughlin said: “In a moment of temptation and stupidity she ruined the rest of her life.”
Sheriff Fletcher said: “This is a serious case for all sorts of reasons, not least the age of the man whose money you took and the fact he was in your care. You were in a position of trust.”
He imposed a community payback order for 18 months because of her otherwise clean record and ordered her to repay £180 and attend a course.
