Martin John Collinson, who has been employed by North Yorkshire County Council for over 20 years, appeared before magistrates in Harrogate to plead guilty to four counts of theft from three residents of council-run accommodation in Grosvenor Road, Bilton, Harrogate.

Prosecutor Sam Rogers said that from March 2006 until December last year 46-year-old Collinson stole a total of £4,203.32 from residents with learning difficulties.

Miss Rogers said Collinson, of Woodhill View, Wetherby, was the three victims’ supervisor at the community home.

As a key worker he had responsibility for their finances, including the £400 a month each put into a ‘‘housekeeping kitty’’ to cover household expenses and direct debit payments for things like a television licence.

He also had authority to sign cheques and draw money from the separate bank accounts of the trio.

When discrepancies were discovered, auditors were called in and their investigation led to Collinson being suspended and to police becoming involved.

During a police interview Collinson made full admissions of his guilt saying he had begun by taking small amounts but his theft had built up over time.

Miss Rogers told presiding magistrate Bernadette Reid the Crown viewed Collinson’s crimes as a serious breach of trust which had been going on for a number of years. Defence solicitor Christian Harbinson said Collinson had run into debt with his outgoings ‘‘very much’’ exceeding his income. So he sought to take money from those he had responsibility for.

‘‘He accepts that was wrong but once theft started he found it very difficult to break out of the habit and still meet his financial responsibilities,’’ said Mr Harbinson.

Mrs Reid agreed with a defence submission that with 12 months behind bars at their disposal, magistrates could carry the case through to sentence.

But she called for pre-sentence reports, warned Collinson prison would be considered and bailed him until March 26.