A MAN who stole the savings of an Irvine gran has escaped jail.

John Hay, 37, admitted stealing a glass bottle full of pound coins from a woman’s flat in Doon Court between July 25 and August 1 this year.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court how the 58-year-old woman left her flat on July 25 to stay with her daughter and everything in the flat was in order.

However, she noticed a significant item was missing upon her return.

A large glass bottle containing £30 worth of pound coins had disappeared from her flat.

The police were contacted immediately and she suspected that her granddaughter, who had a key to the property, or her boyfriend - Hay - had stolen the savings.

When questioned by the police about the theft, Hay made full admissions and told officers: “It was me, she (girlfriend) had nothing to do with it.” Hay, of Dean Street, Kilmarnock, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week and pled guilty to the offence.

His lawyer, Mr Gallacher, told the court how Hay was under the influence of alcohol at the time he committed the theft.

He added that once Hay had realised what he had done and apologised to the woman.

Hay was said to be “thoroughly ashamed” of his actions and “full of guilt”.

He also insisted that in addition to apologising to the woman he had paid the £30 back in full despite providing no evidence to support this claim.

Presiding Sheriff Iona McDonald said: “I am told you are ashamed Mr Hay and so you should be.” He was sentenced to a Community Payback Order with one year supervision.

In addition, he was ordered to pay £30 compensation to the woman.