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A father-of-three with “serious debts” stole more than £10,500 from his mother-in-law.

Scott Randell, 37, of Heol Iago, Fochriw, withdrew £10,555.75 from cash machines in Fochriw and Merthyr Tydfil between April 9 and July 6 last year.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Randell knew where the victim kept her debit card and PIN number.

William Bebb, prosecuting, said: “Over three months, cash of between £200 and £300 had been taken from cash machines in Merthyr Tydfil and Fochriw on days and times when the victim had been in work.”

He said the theft was discovered when the victim’s husband read a bank statement from Lloyds Bank, which revealed the victim only had £127.89 in their bank account, instead of £6,000 as originally believed.

Mr Bebb said father-of-three Randell soon admitted he had taken the money, and voluntarily attended Ystrad Mynach Police Station.

The court was told how Randell had “serious debts” after taking out a private loan – with interest on the loan doubling after he started to miss payments. The defendant had stolen the money because he was frightened.

Randell pleaded guilty to one count of theft and was was handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, January 20.

He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as complete a ten-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Judge Richard Williams said the defendant was fortunate to walk out of the court by the public entrance.

He told Randell: “You say your partner’s parents have forgiven you for what you did.

“The pre-sentence report says you lack empathy for them and you protested you had no option.”

Randell is set to face a Proceeds of Crime Act Hearing on April 10. The bank has refunded the money.