A WEST Cumbrian woman was spared jail after she stole over £2,000 from her vulnerable victim.

Rachel Mawson, 33, of Rydal Street, Frizington, was handed a 24-week jail term suspended for two years when she appeared at the magistrates' court in Workington on Friday.

Mawson admitted stealing £2,120. The court said the sentence was justified because she stole from a vulnerable patient when she was trusted to help him with his cash.

The incident took place between January and March of last year at Post Office counters in Cleator Moor and Frizington.

Mawson must comply with an electronically monitored curfew for three months.

She was also ordered to pay compensation to her victim for the amount stolen.