A Fife care home worker has been sacked for stealing more than £3,000 from elderly residents.
The 52-year-old staff member from Ladywalk House in Anstruther was arrested and charged with misappropriation of money last month.
She admitted the offence during an appearance at Dundee Sheriff Court on May 17 and is due to appear for sentence on Thursday.
The money was found to be missing during a recent inspection of the Fife Council-run home by the local authority’s audit service.
Inconsistencies were found in the cash ledger from the residents’ social fund and from money belonging to 12 residents being held by the home for safe keeping.
A total of £3,017.59 remains unaccounted for.
Fife Council said residents and their families had been notified and arrangements were being made to reimburse people in full.
It is understood the staff member was suspended as soon as the irregularities came to light and was dismissed at a disciplinary hearing on June 8.
Police were called and following an investigation, the woman was charged.
Financial procedures and controls at Ladywalk House are now under review and the Care Inspectorate has been informed.
The incident was confirmed in a briefing note sent from Louise Bell, manager of the council’s older people’s service, to senior local authority staff and councillors on Friday.
Fife Council said it could not discuss the case but confirmed anyone involved in a crime of this nature would be dismissed.
Head of human resources Sharon McKenzie said: “As a responsible employer, Fife Council can’t discuss individual circumstances of current or former staff members.
“However, we take the safety and wellbeing of those in our care extremely seriously and will always take action against inappropriate or criminal behaviour within our organisation.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police in Fife can confirm that a 52-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with misappropriation of funds at a care home in Anstruther between July 2016 and March 2018.
“A report was submitted to the procurator fiscal and she was due to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court on May 17 2018.”
