A Glasgow social services worker has been banned from working in the profession after having a sexual relationship with a vulnerable addict while she was in the care of his employer.
David Phillips began the relationship with the woman while she was a resident at his work, ultimately causing her to become pregnant and have to undergo an abortion.
He was found to have used 'controlling behaviour' to hide the relationship which included threatening that she would lose her place at the care service if she was to tell anyone and telling her that the pregnancy was 'her fault'.
Read more: Public asked for views on reopening Glasgow Life venues closed during Covid-19 pandemic
The behaviour was reported to the Scottish Services Council who found that he had caused 'emotional and physical harm and amounted to a significant abuse of a position of trust'.
The report details that while in employment between April and October 2020, he exchanged phone numbers with the woman and made personal calls and sent messages to her. He also kissed and touched her on numerous occasions.
Between May 2020 and October 2020, he made personal visits to her home, had sex with her at her home, met up with her outside of her home and caused her to become pregnant.
The woman underwent the termination which was found to have caused her 'physical harm'. He told her that he would lose his job if she told anyone and threatened to expose emails sent from her if she showed anyone the messages he had sent.
When she told Phillips she was pregnant, he stated 'it's all your fault' before putting money into her bank account to pay for taxis to the termination.
After the woman underwent the procedure, Phillips forced her to take another pregnancy test to confirm the negative result.
He was found to have acted with the intention of preventing anyone from finding out about the relationship.
The SSSC report outlines: "You sent numerous messages to a service user with the intention of forming a sexual relationship with them. You met service user AA while she was using the services of your employer, therefore you would be well aware of her vulnerabilities through your role. You then formed a sexual relationship with AA which resulted in a pregnancy which was terminated.
"Your actions caused AA emotional and physical harm and amounted to a significant abuse of a position of trust. You used controlling behaviour towards her in order to conceal this relationship from others.
"You took advantage of your position to make contact with her when she was a vulnerable service user, demonstrating a clear breach of professional boundaries."
They found that Phillips showed 'insufficient insight and no real remorse' for his actions and blamed a 'lack of training' from his employer as a reason for his behaviour. It was determined that there would be a risk of repetition.
David Phillips was removed from the SSSC register and will therefore no longer be able to work in the industry.
READ NEXT -
Woman 'exaggerated' dying boy claims to con public out of thousands
Rangers fan on Premier Inn break 'horrified' after hitting cop with bottle in George Square rammy
Glasgow has highest rate of suicide in Scotland according to new figures
East Renfrewshire missing man with 'distinctive scar' sparks police probe
Glasgow subway strikes postponed after Rangers game day walk-out plan
