A BELLSMYRE serial thief has been ordered to pay back a pensioner from whom she stole money.

Elaine McKenzie, of Merkins Avenue, admitted to stealing £340 from the 80-year-old pensioner using her debit card at three different ATMS in Alexandria and Bonhill in the space of a month.

The incident, where she stole the money totalling £340 on various occasions between March 19, and April 15, 2020, saw her use the elderly woman’s debit card without her permission at ATM’s at Scotmid in Renton, Dillichip stores in Bonhill and TSB bank in Alexandria and forcing open a lockfast ATM.

She committed the offence whilst on bail from the town’s court just a month prior on February 21, 2020.

Previously the Reporter told how the 48-year-old stole meat from the same Dumbarton supermarket on five different occasions within the space of a month.

She stole a quantity of fresh meat from the Marks and Spencers at the St James Retail store on November 10, December 4 and 6 and then on two separate occasions on December 10, 2020.

McKenzie also acted in a threatening and abusive manner by repeatedly shouting, swearing and uttering threats of violence on December 4, 2020.

For the recent incident she appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week for a review on her community payback order and her defence solicitor Kenneth McGowan said: “It is a positive report other than the fact that there is an outstanding compensation order. She has began to address her efforts. It is not something that has escaped her attention.”

Addressing McKenzie Sheriff Frances McCartney said: “The compensation element needs to be tackled. The report otherwise seems to be coherent, but it needs to be paid. I will defer for a very short period of time so you can have a discussion in relation on how you will repay the compensation element. “

A further review was set for later this month.