A GREEDY conman embezzled more than £30,000 from the severely-disabled adults he looked after by abusing his role as a Renfrewshire charity boss.

Kevin Cassidy, 48, siphoned off the money from the bank accounts of vulnerable residents while working at the care homes where they lived.

He was accused of pocketing £46,971 from The McFarlane Trust while working at the organisation’s residential care houses in Main Road, Elderslie, and Glencally Avenue, Paisley.

However, Cassidy struck a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to a charge of embezzling £31,971.

He admitted his guilt during a pre-trial hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Procurator fiscal depute David McDonald said: “Both of these locations are ran by The McFarlane Trust for adults with severe learning difficulties who are entirely dependent on the care provided.

“These facilities provide 24-hour care in a residential setting and each resident has their own bedroom.

“Kevin Cassidy was employed by The McFarlane Trust in several capacities from 2001. Around late 2009/early 2010, he was promoted to the position of manager. One aspect of this role was to assume financial guardianship for the residents within these facilities.

“This included paying any bills and paying for furniture within rooms and clothes.

“One bill that each resident pays is to the local council and is classed as Housing Support charges. This covers the cost of the care provided by The McFarlane Trust for each resident and is billed on a monthly basis.

“Each resident would have a bank account to ensure that all benefits they are entitled to are deposited and all bills can be paid from.

“The accused, within his role as manager for these facilities, would also have access to the bank cards and PIN numbers for these cards, in order to withdraw money.”

Cassidy, of Stoke Avenue, Paisley, used one of the bank cards to lift £200 whilst in Wales in July 2017, leading to an internal probe.

He was asked to attend a disciplinary meeting and was told he would be suspended.

At this point, Cassidy offered his resignation, which was accepted, and handed himself in to police later that day.

Sheriff James Spy called for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing next month.

He told Cassidy: “It’s a serious breach of trust and I will consider all options.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond