He worked to manage benefits for people who were unable to manage their own finances and did not have anyonne to support them.

However, investigations found several bank transfers in 2023 which totalled £893,926 to nine different accounts in his name, Bolton Crown Court found.

He has now been sentenced to four years and eight months behind bars after he pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position.

After officers searched Shaw’s home in Harrier Close, Bolton, two BMW cars worth an estimated £120,000, computers, and bikes, were seized.

He was arrested on suspicion of fraud of position and money laundering.

It was also found he spent about £100,000 on a holiday lodge in the Ribble Valley and nearly £18,000 on improvements to his garden.

He paid more than £53,000 to different women with references such as “treat”, “allowance”, “nice”, and “a**”, which amounted to hundreds of pounds a week.

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GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

Detective Sergeant Daniel Sanchez, from Greater Manchester Police’s economic and cyber crime unit, said: “We carried out a thorough and meticulous two-year investigation into Shaw in conjunction with Bolton Council.

“Concerns were raised in February 2023 about some of the accounts managed by Shaw.

“The accounts were unusually low, running out of funds and irregular transactions had been noted.”

He said Shaw was responsible for managing 120 client cases.

DS Sanchez said: “Shaw abused his position of trust within the council, transferring clients’ money to accounts he had set up in his own name.

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“His systematic theft and haphazard spending was uncovered by our financial investigator.

He added there will now be a proceeds of crime hearing to reclaim the remaining money and reimburse Bolton Council.

CPS specialist prosecutor Stephanie Pendered said: “Richard Shaw was entrusted with safeguarding the finances of some of the most vulnerable people in his community.

“Instead, he systematically stole from them over an eight-year period.

“His victims were people who relied on the council because they could not manage their own affairs. Shaw callously exploited that vulnerability, even targeting the accounts of deceased service users knowing they would be less likely to be checked.”

​A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “Bolton Council has robust measures in place to detect, prevent and deter corruption and this crime was first uncovered via our own internal safeguards.

“We have worked closely with Greater Manchester Police to build the case that has resulted in this sentence which reflects the gravity and impact of the crime committed.

“Cases like this are exceptionally rare and the actions of one person do not reflect a wider workforce that is conscientious, diligent, and committed to public service.

“Any identified financial losses to individuals as a result of this fraud have been refunded by the council, and benefit losses rectified.”