A CLYDEBANK carer stole nearly £1,000 from the vulnerable man she looked after in a “gross breach of trust”.

Joyce Thomson, who worked for charity Quarriers, took £910 from the bank account of a man when she was supposed to be caring for him.

The money was drained from the 41-year-old man’s bank account over five months from July 1, 2016 to November 9, 2016.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Thomson, of Morrison Quadrant, “had a great deal of affection for [the man] and that was reciprocated.”

But this did not stop her stealing from the Yoker man whom she was responsible for helping to the shops.

Last year a colleague noticed that money had not been properly accounted for.

The worker checked staff rotas and a pattern emerged whereby each time money had been taken out of the man’s bank account, Thomson was on shift.

The manager was told by the other staff member and an interview with the 60-year-old took place on November 7, 2016.

Thomson appeared voluntarily at Clydebank police office where, the court heard, she told officers ,“I’m sorry”.

Her defence lawyer told the court Thomson had pleaded guilty at “the earliest opportunity”.

He told Sheriff Barry Divers: “My client was going through a really tough time and she has no idea why she had done it.

“She is 60 and has no previous history with the courts.

“The fall from grace she has suffered... any sentence you impose will not be worse. She will not get her job back. She has already been punished significantly.”

Thomson, who was accompanied to court by her husband, has paid back the £910 to Quarriers where staff paid it back to the victim.

Sheriff Barry Divers called Thomson’s actions a “gross breach of trust”.

He added: “I am not going to sentence you today,” and told Thomson a criminal justice social work report would now be produced.

Sentencing was deferred until June 8.