A CARE worker who stole thousands of pounds from a vulnerable man to fund a trip to Las Vegas and feed his gambling and drink addictions has been jailed.

Karl Finney stole almost £13,000 from his victim, who has the mental age of a seven-year-old.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how the man, who is 68, is still upset by Finney’s disappearance and cannot understand what has happened.

When the judge Recorder Guy Mathieson described Finney’s trip to Las Vegas as “a jolly boys outing” someone in the public gallery said he had actually gone for a wedding.

The judge accepted that but told Finney: “You were stealing that money to fund that.”

Jailing the 29-year-old for 20 months, the judge said that when Finney’s boss started to investigate he fobbed her off, only stopping when she discovered his victim's clothing and living standards had fallen below what was expected.

He told Finney, from Gardiner Avenue in Haydock, that he accepted he was full of remorse but he had to consider that his 68-year-old victim’s money had gone with no way of getting it back.

“Anyone in such a position of trust has to know that a breach of that level of trust has to result in a custodial sentence.”

Simon Leong prosecuting said Finney, who pleaded guilty to stealing £12,976 between January 2013 and September last year, was employed as a care worker by the Embrace Group for ten years.

Since 2011 he had been looking after his victim who lived alone in supported living accommodation in Speke and suffered from learning difficulties, depression and bi-polar disorder.

Finney had charge of his bank card and pin number and was responsible for documenting and making bank withdrawals.

On August 27 last year his boss carried out a spot check at the pensioner’s home and found it unclean and necessary repairs hadn’t been carried out.

Finney failed to attend a meeting and subsequent disciplinary proceedings and was sacked on September 18. Investigations revealed he had been withdrawing sums of varying amounts on one occasion taking as much as £1,700.

Some sums had been replaced including £540 for a trip to Las Vegas.

When interviewed by police Finney admitted that his drinking and gambling had taken over his life.

Mr Leong added: “He was clearly distraught at his own actions. He said he had been employed as a care worker for ten years and loved it.”

The pensioner’s sister read an impact statement in court in which she said: “He (Finney) was a constant in his life and it is all the more appalling that he was in a position of care to a highly vulnerable man and he did what he did.

“I am sad and disappointed that someone so trusted to look after a vulnerable man should let us down so badly.

“I feel sad he has ruined his own life as he had so much to give as a carer.”

Graham Robinson defending said that Finney, who has a partner and two-year-old son, was “overcome with remorse” when challenged about the thefts.

He has since been referred for help with his drink problem and has joined Gamblers Anonymous.