A WOMAN who stole thousands of pounds from a 92-year-old man has avoided a jail sentence.

Suzanne Lindsay, 37, stole £9,000 from the elderly man while the pensioner was in her care at an address in Prestonpans.

Members of the victim’s family discovered the theft, which took place over five months, and called in the police.

But last week Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told the family had now forgiven the thief.

Lindsay, of The Pottery, Prestonpans, admitted stealing £9,000 from the pensioner when she appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Sheriff John Cook said: “This is a serious offence involving the theft of money from a vulnerable person in their 90s.

“This is a serious matter and an alternative to custody is appropriate.”

Sheriff Cook placed Lindsay on 18 months of supervision and told her she must carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

Lindsay admitted stealing the money from the man at an address in Prestonpans between March 1 and July 31, 2017.