A CARER from Galashiels who stole from a disabled client has been told she has committed a breach of trust.

Background reports have been ordered at Selkirk Sheriff Court into 30-year-old Kerrie Campbell of Woodstock Avenue.

She pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of electronic items, clothing and food totalling £1,000 from a disabled client between June 1 and October 1, 2018.

The court heard that Campbell became the main carer for two disabled men, assisting them with household tasks, attending college, outings and organising a shopping list.

But in 2018 relatives of one of the men became suspicious that Campbell was taking advantage.

A check on one shopping trip to Tesco paid for by one of the men's bank card, on a day Campbell was rostered to work, revealed that dog food, a unicorn and confetti were purchased which the man would not have bought and he also did not have a dog.

Another receipt featured swim hats and women's tights but the man could not swim.

Depute fiscal Miriam Clark said that the accused would put items of food into the trolley while out shopping with the men and it would be paid for on the man's bank card.

There were also a series of online Amazon purchases which were mostly items for children.

The court was told a search warrant was executed at Campbell's property on July 12, 2019.

Ms Clark said the total value of items stolen was £1,000 and there was no recovery.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said the value of items stolen was not enormous but added: “It is a breach of trust on your part which means that the matter is extremely serious."

Sentence was deferred until May 31 for the production of a Criminal Justice Social Work Report and a Restriction of Liberty Order assessment.