Bethan Louise Lawson, 18, admitted stealing a cash card and £679.99 from her great-grandmother Wilhelmina Lawson when she appeared before magistrates, as reported in yesterday's Mail.

Now she has told of her sorrow at her actions and the shame she has heaped on herself.

She also admitted fraud by false representation and was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a supervision requirement involving a compulsory citizenship programme and 100 hours unpaid work.

Today, the Hartlepool Sixth Form student expressed remorse for her actions.

Bethan, who was also ordered to pay her great-grandmother back the £679.99, said: "I'm very sorry, I'm the most sorry person alive. I'm sorry for my family, not for me and I'm sorry for what I've done rather than for being in court.

"The 21 days waiting to see whether I would go to jail felt like absolute months

"I had to go to college and all my tutors knew. I was upset."
Peterlee Magistrates' Court heard that at the time, Bethan was living with her grandmother Caroline Lawson in Blackhall, and Mrs Lawson had control over her 103-year-old mother's finances.

Mrs Lawson kept her mother's bank card and pin number in a china cabinet and she would take it out to withdraw and pass on money every Tuesday.

When Mrs Lawson tried to make a withdrawal and the machine refused her, she became aware that the pin number had been changed.

After making inquiries with the bank and confronting her grand-daughter, Bethan, made full admissions about taking the card.

She had also treated herself to £79.99 of computer software.

Bethan's solicitor Tony Jackson had said in mitigation that she had taken the money to pay off a drug debt racked up by her "so-called friends".

Bethan, now living in temporary accommodation at Gainsford House, Hartlepool, spoke of her relief at the sentence she received.

She said: "I do feel relieved but at the same time, I don't because to me it's not really a punishment that I've got, it's more something that can be done easily and quickly.

"I think I would rather drown than go to prison.

"I've spoken to my nana. She hasn't forgiven me but she said if I need help I can talk to her. I wouldn't do it again."