A THIEF who broke into his own aunt’s home and stole cash from her has been placed on a drug treatment order.

Kevin Edwards broke into the home of Christina Edwards in Prestonpans and made off with a bank card, cash and a quantity of cigarettes.

Edwards, 42, then used the bank card at two supermarket ATMs and took a total of £380 from his aunt’s bank account.

The drug addict, of Longdykes Road, Prestonpans, admitted the offence during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month and he returned to the dock for sentencing on Tuesday.

Sheriff Nigel Ross ordered the thief to take part in a 12-month drug treatment and testing order in a bid to curb his offending.

The sheriff said Edwards would have to be tested for drugs in his system four times a month and added “there is a custodial sentence hovering” if he fails the order.

Edwards admitted breaking into the home at Burnside and stealing cash, a bank card and cigarettes on September 11 last year.

He also admitted using the card to take cash from two ATMs and stealing £380.

Solicitor Andrew Mellor told the sheriff his client had returned all of the stolen cash to his aunt and that he had “expressed genuine remorse” about the theft.