A SOUTH Cumbria woman who stole almost £3,000 from a trusting friend has been sentenced by a judge.

Amanda Hughes, 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft when she appeared in the dock at Carlisle Crown Court today..

Hughes stole £2,949 from Linda Jepson between 22nd April and 1st July last year.

The victim contacted police after noting unauthorised withdrawals from her bank account.

The finger of suspicion was pointed at Hughes, who was then seen on CCTV footage attending cash machines at the times money was removed.

Hughes, a mother to three grown-up children, was said to have shown contrition for her crimes.

Recorder Kevin Grice gave Hughes, of Church Road, Allithwaite, a community order as a punishment.

She must observed a two-month night-time curfew and fully repay the money taken.

Recorder Grice told Hughes: "This was a dreadful thing to do, to steal from your friend like that."