A vulnerable young man was ripped off in a nursing home - where ironically he had moved to because his finances had been fiddled, a court has heard.

A senior health care assistant at the premises repeatedly secretly sneaked out with his bank card and used it to withdraw cash, usually taking £100 - £200 each time.

By the time Sharon Mansell’s dishonesty came to light in September last year she had pocketed a total of £2,422, said Rebecca Smith, prosecuting.

Liverpool Crown Court was told on Monday that the 25-year-old victim, who has learning difficulties and needs round-the-clock supervision for his own safety moved in to the New Haven Nursing Home in Wallasey because of “financial abuse suffered at the hands of a third party.”

On September 18 he received his bank statement and noticed a number of withdrawals he had not made or authorised.

Police investigations found that money had been taken on a weekly basis for three months from a local shop.

53-year-old Mansell, who had worked at the home for ten years without any disciplinary action against her, went off on holiday.

On her return on October 4 she spoke to her boss and said she had spoken to the victim and the bank and all the money had been repaid, which was untrue.

She also claimed that the victim did not want the police to become involved.

When told three days later that police were continuing their investigations she then revealed she was the culprit. “She said she and her husband were in debt and she needed the extra money.”

Miss Smith said that the victim had been left “upset and disappointed.”

He said, “I am shocked because she was nice to me and then took my money. I don’t want her to care for anyone else again because of the risk of money being taken.”

The manager of the home made an impact statement saying she was feared for the reputation of the home because of Mansell’s actions.

Mansell, of Greencroft Road, Wallasey, pleaded guilty to fraud in a position of trust.

Sentencing her to 10 months' imprisonment suspended for 18 months the judge, Recorder Rachel Smith said: “Over the course of three months you exploited his vulnerability and your position of trust to steal the money.”

She also ordered Mansell, who has no previous convictions, to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

Gerald Pachter, defending, said Mansell was “ashamed and very sorry.”

She had financial problems at home after her husband’s income was reduced “but that did not justify her behaviour.”

Mansell began working at the home as a cleaner and worked her way up to her role as a senior health care assistant and had acted out of character.

“She has lost her job and the possibility of getting another job and regrets letting down her employer, the vulnerable victim and her husband,” added Mr Pachter.