A woman fleeced her own brother, emptying his savings account and spending more than £12,000.

May Irving, 65, was handed a suspended prison sentence for the mean crime she committed in 2013 and 2014.

But a judge at Carlisle Crown Court told Irving he was “only just persuaded” to step back from custody because she was the carer for her ill husband.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, said Irving’s brother, Michael Fincham, had worked in Nigeria. Due to the political instability in the country, he left his Barclays savings account card and PIN with his sister.

This was only to have been used to help out in an emergency, or to provide him with financial assistance for a sudden exit out of Nigeria.

But in June, 2014, having returned to the UK, he uncovered his sibling’s crime after visiting a bank to make a cash transfer.

“He was shocked and surprised to be told that the balance of his savings account had dropped to £440, whereas previously the had been a balance of £5,409,” the prosecutor added.

It emerged his sister had stolen £12,278.45 from his savings and current accounts.

Payments had been made to TalkTalk and a Travelodge in Wales. There had also been cash machine withdrawals of up to £300 a time.

“He describes how, when he discovered this was down to his sister, he was deeply hurt,” added Mr Rogerson.

“He says the theft hit him like a brick wall, and had always loved and trusted his sister. He felt trust had been betrayed.

“He started having dark thoughts, but later turned away from these, wanting instead to make sure his sister faced justice.”

Mr Fincham had felt “trapped” financially, and had been unable to return to his Nigerian job due to ill health.

Irving initially denied the theft, claiming she had permission “to use the money for whatever purpose she saw fit”.

She pleaded guilty only on the day of her court trial.

Antony Longworth, defending, said Irving was “realistic” and aware she ran the risk of prison.

“She has had to live with the knowledge and the shame of appearing before this court,” said Mr Longworth.

There had been “no contact” from her brother, and Irving also had her own health issues in addition to caring for her husband.

Recorder Michael Murray suspended a 14-month jail term for two years. Irving received a three-month night-time curfew, was placed under supervision and ordered to pay her brother £5,000 compensation.

“This was bad offending,” Recorder Murray told Irving, of Petton Place, Gosforth, near Seascale. “You fleeced your brother’s bank account. He returned to find all his savings had been frittered away by you.”