A woman who stole £9000 from a pensioner under her care is now selling her home to repay the cash.

Anne McConnell, 51, told police she took the 80-year-old women's life savings because she was going through the menopause and needed the money to pay off her mortgage.

She stole the cash while employed as a carer for the pensioner, who suffers from severe arthritis, in Arran.

McConnell swiped Janet Noteman's bank card and PIN, went off on sick leave and cleaned out her savings account.

The pensioner noticed the money was gone and her new carer contacted the police, leading to McConnell being detained and questioned.

McConnell had earlier pleaded guilty to stealing the money between February and August last year and sentence was deferred for her to be assessed by social workers.

When she returned to the dock on Monday, defence solicitor Peter Lockhart said she had "scrimped and saved" enough money to pay back £1650 of the £9000 and insisted the pensioner had not been left out of pocket.

Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane asked McConnell when the "old lady is going to get her life savings back".

Mr Lockhart replied: "The bank made full repayment on August 19, the loss is to the bank."

McConnell said she had hoped her brother Jack, the First Minister between 2001 and 2007, would foot the bill.

He refused to help her out, however, and she is now having to sell her house to pay back the money.

The details emerged on Monday when she appeared in the dock at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court. Mr Lockhart told the court Mr McConnell and other family members had refused to help her out with the money she owed and that she was having to sell her house as a result.

He explained: "In her police interview the police officer said to her that she had made a comment that she would get the money back from her brother.

"She said: 'I just meant I would ask if he'd help out to get the money back'. He asked: Have you spoken to Jack in relation to this? She replied 'no, not yet'.

"As far as the family are concerned they are supportive but they are not in a position, nor are they prepared, to pay this money.

"At the end of the day it is for the accused to pay it and that's their position. It is her intention to move to this area around May this year.

"She intends to put her property on the market. That will leave capital of between £13,000 and £15,000 once loans, fees, etc are paid.

"She should be able to pay the balance of £7000 within three months, by the end of May. She accepts this is a despicable offence. The social work report details she is racked with guilt."

The lawyer also said it "beggars belief" that she stole the money as she is a "caring individual."

He asked Sheriff McFarlane to spare McConnell jail, saying locking her up would have an affect on her 15-year-old daughter, who suffers from health problems, and would mean she lost her home.

Mr Lockhart said she was willing and able to comply with a community payback order which would see her carry out unpaid work.

As she deferred sentence for three months, Sheriff McFarlane said: "I want it repaid in full to the bank or whoever by the time I see you in three months, is that clear?"

McConnell replied: "Yes." She will return to court at the end of May to see if she has paid back the money, which was reduced from a sum of £17,900 after she struck a plea deal with prosecutors.