A care home manager stole hundreds from the charity he worked for, which supports people with disabilities.
Adam Scott, 46, worked for MacIntyre Care when he began failing to show receipts for items and give back change.
Sophie Leyland, prosecuting, told Wirral Magistrates Court today that Scott, of Beaconsfield Road, Birkenhead, was working as a manager for the charity when a senior support worker reported their suspicions to the area manager of the company.
Ms Leyland explained the report was made as Scott wasn't supplying receipts for things such as parking, or giving back change for items and for his use of company credit.
Scott was suspended from his job while an investigation took place, which subsequently resulted in prosecution.
He was charged with theft by employee after it was found he stole £602.68 between December 2019 and April this year.
The court heard that Scott has no previous convictions.
Carl Nadim, defending, said: "This is a sad situation.
"Mr Scott for 17 years has served the community in the care industry.
"Mr Scott is a person that entered this court with an exemplary character and leaves this court having lost that exemplary character. That exemplary character means a lot to Mr Scott.
"For 17 years he worked in the care industry, he brought a lot of positivity while serving in the care industry.
"Those 17 years have been eradicated, they have just been destroyed by those actions."
Mr Nadim stated that at the time of the offences Scott was not an "ordinary competent person" following a mental breakdown "some years ago" and suffers from depression.
The court heard Scott still relies on alcohol "especially since the break up of his own marriage" and Mr Nadim explained it was during this time that he committed the offence.
Mr Nadim said: "There are issues he has tried to resolve on his own.
"He has stolen out of an urge to fund his alcoholism."
Scott has since declared himself bankrupt and receives benefits but Mr Nadim said: "I'm sure he will build himself back up.
"He's someone who has worked extremely hard."
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A probation report confirmed that Scott is alcohol-dependent and is still struggling with his mental health.
It found that he would be suitable to complete unpaid work and a community order alongside an alcohol treatment programme.
Magistrates handed Scott a 12-month community order and must complete 100 hours of unpaid work including 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirements.
Scott must also complete a six-month alcohol treatment programme and pay £602.68 compensation back to the charity as well as £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
