A gambling addict stole more than £2,000 from her own mother to fund her online slot machine habit.
Nicole Clark made 92 transactions on her mother’s debit card over a two week period.
Perth Sheriff Court heard some of the payments had been taken as Clark tried to cover up her theft by winning back some cash.
Depute fiscal Carol Whyte said: “The offence came to light on August 26 2016 then the complainer tried to withdraw money from the bank – £2,000 was missing.
“The transactions were checked and found that from that card £2,020 had been taken over 92 transactions.
“They were payments to internet businesses and the complainer does not use the internet. The internet account where the card had been used were held in the accused’s name. When spoken to by police in November 14 she accepted she had taken the money.”
Solicitor Jamie Baxter, defending, said Clark was “mortified” to find herself before the court. He said the 30-year-old’s gambling addiction was a result of her bipolar disorder.
He said: “She is mortified by her appearance here. At the time she was not in employment and was struggling financially, and was suffering a gambling addiction. She had started gambling with online slot machines and had her mother’s bank card, which she used.
“She very much realised that she was in trouble and was increasingly using it, trying to win back what she had lost and to make repayment before the use was uncovered.”
He added Clark had repaid £100 so far and her mother was less concerned with getting the money back than she was with seeing her daughter overcome her issues.
Clark admitted stealing the money at her home address and elsewhere between August 8 and 26 last year.
Sentencing Clark, of Burrell Place, Woodside, Blairgowrie, Sheriff William Wood said: “I have no doubt that you feel ashamed that you have appeared in court. You are embarrassed that this theft from your mother has been aired publically.
“It was a breach of trust.”
He ordered her to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and placed her on an 18-month supervision order.
