A THIEF stole over £23,000 — from his own grandmother and gambled it away.

James Menzies, of Burns Statue Arcade in Ayr was up before Ayr Sheriff Court on Thursday September 24.

The 21-year-old had pilfered the cash from 66-year-old Ann Crosby’s home when she was taken into hospital in August 2014.

In total Menzies, stole £23,040 which was kept in various tins throughout the victims home on Riverside Place, Ayr.

£20,000 was kept in one tin and over £3,000 in another tin inside a footstool within Crosby’s bedroom.

After returning home from a long stay in hospital, she noticed the pillows on the footstool had been disturbed and that the money was missing.

Menzies stole the key to his grandmother’s home from his mother - who was the only one with a key.

Initially Menzies told police that he had been coerced by his partner into stealing the money.

Peter Lockhart defending said: “He does recognise the serious nature of the offence - stealing from his grandmother while she was in hospital.

“He also accepts that he has not been forced into doing this.” The court was told that Menzies was going to gamble the money and repay his grandmothers savings and keep the profit, however he lost all the money.

Lockhart said: “It is worth saying that his grandmother has forgiven him - but does not condone his behaviour.” Sheriff Daniel Kelly said to Menzies: “That was a despicable crime you did stealing from your grandmother.

“Those were her life savings and there is no alternative to a custodial sentence.” Due to the gravity and nature of the situation, Sheriff Kelly sentenced Menzies to 12 months in prison.

Menzies will also have to serve a further four months consecutively for two other charges against him.