A Scottish backpacker who was arrested in Thailand after he was accused of stealing a mobile phone, faces another six-week wait to find out if he will be allowed to return home.

Rory McColl, 37, claimed he mistakenly picked up a device belonging to a German tourist from a bar in Bangkok thinking it was his own after arriving in the city in March.

The father-of-one, from Edinburgh, spent two nights in a Thai jail, but seven separate court hearings have yet to produce an outcome.

Two police officers testified that the incident was a "misunderstanding" on Thursday, however the case has now been continued for a final verdict on 9 December.

McColl was released on bail following the incident, but had his passport seized meaning he is unable to leave.

His mother, Helen, 70, and dad John, 66, said he had lost his flat and his job as a result of being stranded in the country.

Helen told BBC Scotland News McColl was "frustrated" following the latest hearing.

"He just wants to see his son," she said.

"It has been so disappointing every time. It is out of our control."

McColl had been enjoying drinks in a bar on the world famous KahoSan Road after arriving in Bangkok following a 30-hour journey.

He claimed to have misplaced his phone before spotting one on the bar.

McColl put the phone in his pocket without realising it belonged to a fellow tourist.

It was returned to the woman a short time later and McColl explained what had happened to the bar's security and the police.

Helen said he had initially been taken to the police station to "sober up" but he was arrested and spent two nights "sleeping on a concrete floor".

After his release on bail, he briefly spent time living in in Pattaya, about 90 miles (150km) south east of Bangkok.

He is now living with a family in the north of country until the case is concluded.

John said his son's mental health had suffered initially, but they were encouraging him to take each day as it comes.

He said: "Rory is very outgoing by nature, very personable. He never sleeps before the court hearings.

"With all the different cases and hearings, we just had to settle and encourage Rory to keep going."

Helen said she had come out of retirement and was looking after dogs to earn additional income for legal fees.

She said she was not completely hopeful the hearing in December will allow him to return home.

"We're trying not to get too excited," she said.

"There's been so many hearings, we don't give ourselves any great expectations that it will even be over on 9 December.

"But if it is, it will be euphoric, the whole family will be here. It will be like a homecoming."