A DUNFERMLINE carer has been jailed for embezzling a substantial sum of money from the woman she was supposed to be looking after.

The victim was in her eighties and suffering from dementia.

The crime was committed over a two-year period by Kathleen Mackay, 68, of David Street.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court today (Monday), Mackay was jailed for 18 months.

She went on trial previously, accused of embezzling more than £48,000 from the woman between May 1, 2018, and May 31 last year at Dewar Street, David Street, Aberdour Road, Pilmuir Street and elsewhere, while employed as a carer.

The jury found her guilty but instead of a specific amount, replaced the figure with “a large sum of money”.

The trial heard that Mackay was employed as a cleaner and carer. She had permission to use the woman’s bank card but only for wages and small items needed day to day in the victim’s home.

The victim’s son described his mother, a former school teacher, as being “very vulnerable” at the time of the offences.

A co-worker, who became suspicious of Mackay’s free-spending ways, was told she was a “good saver” and also had a lottery win.

The woman thought Mackay was living beyond her income, saying she had a small sports car, a full Sky package, 12 pairs of Skechers shoes, her home was very well decorated and she bought expensive Christmas presents.

Sheriff Susan Duff jailed Mackay for 18 months.