A thief who crept into his disabled mother's home while she was in bed and stole her bank card and cash has been branded "disgusting" by a sheriff.

Scott MacGregor took money from his wheelchair-bound mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and requires two-hourly care.

Falkirk Sheriff Court was told the only people with keys to her home were her carers and her son, MacGregor.

The court heard on November 8 last year she was put to bed by her carers at about 10pm, who then locked her front door and left.

Around midnight she heard her front door opening and closing.

Prosecutor Samantha Brown said: "She thought that somebody was in the house but because of her mobility she wasn't able to check that."

In the morning, her carers found her front door unlocked and it was discovered that £40 and her bank card was missing.

Ms Brown said: "She contacted her bank and found that £500 had been taken out of her account in one transaction."

She contacted the police and told them the accused was the only person who would have access to her house, in Bainsford, Falkirk, as well as her PIN.

MacGregor, 36, of Hallglen, also Falkirk, was arrested two months later.

He pleaded guilty to stealing his mother's bank card and £40 cash, and using the card to withdraw a further £500 from her account via a Bank of Scotland ATM in Main Street, Bainsford.

Defence agent Martin Morrow said his client, who has a long-standing drink and drugs problem, wanted to go to jail.

The solicitor said: "He is disgusted with himself. He says he has caused enormous distress to his mother and he feels so ashamed he wants to go to prison.

"As far as he sees, he has put himself beyond and pale and beyond redemption."

Sheriff Derek Livingston said: "I note that, notwithstanding your client's expressions of remorse, he hasn't paid his mother back."

Jailing him for eight months, he told MacGregor: "I agree with you. You do deserve to go to prison for this. Your mother must have been terrified when she heard the door opening and closing again.

"She would have had no idea what was going on. She'd put you in a position of trust by giving you a key. It's a fairly disgusting crime."