SHE was supposed to help a very vulnerable man.

But support worker Mandy Leach, of Paddock, was helping herself to his savings.

Now Leach, who stole more than £6,000 from a client with learning difficulties, has been given a suspended prison term.

Leach, 35, committed three thefts while working for the charitable Horton Housing Association in Bradford, a court heard yesterday.

Leach, of Upper Brow Road, had been employed as a support worker for five years with the organisation by the time she was assigned in 2007 to a 37-year-old Bradford man who needed help with his budgeting and money-handling skills. Leach assisted him from 2007 until 2009.

Bradford Crown Court heard that it was only after Leach took up a post as a manager with another organisation that the thefts committed between December, 2007, and May, 2008, came to light.

Prosecuting, Dave Mackay said suspicious withdrawals were discovered by the complainant’s sister-in-law who worked as a bank clerk.

Sums of £3,000, £1,500 and £1,700 had been paid into Leach’s account.

The victim told police he believed he had been transferring money between his own accounts to avoid his savings affecting his benefits.

When Leach was questioned about the missing money she said there had been an arrangement to transfer sum of the cash into her account, but then claimed the money had been paid back.

“Is that true?” asked Judge John Potter.

“No,” replied Mr Mackay.

Leach, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty last month to the three charges of theft and yesterday Judge Potter said it was sad that the court was sentencing somebody in her position.