Thief Michelle Dillon, 36, helped herself to £600 after swiping a bank card and driving licence from a staff member’s handbag.

She later tried to plunder more cash from the account on the same day as the theft — before being stopped in her tracks.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how Dillon was at the domestic abuse organisation’s offices in George Square, pictured when she carried out the initial raid.

Procurator fiscal Fiona Holligan explained that a staff member had to briefly leave a room during a conversation with Dillon — leaving her handbag unattended.

The thief helped herself to the cash card and a driving licence before duping an unwitting bank worker into handing over the money.

The fraudster — who carried out the thefts on 4 July 2013 — travelled from Greenock to a branch of Lloyds TSB in Largs and pretended to be the lawful holder of the account.

Prosecutor Mrs Holligan revealed that Dillon told a staff member that the outside ATM machine was out of order and she had to lift £600 urgently to pay for a new boiler.

The cash was duly handed over — but greedy Dillon returned later that day to steal more money from the Women’s Aid worker’s personal account.

But she was told she couldn’t have any more cash because she had already reached the daily limit for withdrawals.

Fiscal Mrs Holligan told the court that the fleeced Women’s Aid worker noticed the following day that the chunk of cash was missing from her account.

Lloyds TSB staff were contacted immediately — then police were alerted to the disappearance.

The court heard that CCTV footage showed Dillon in the the bank withdrawing the money. Dillon pled guilty to stealing a bank card and a photo ID driving licence at the Women’s Aid premises.

She further admitted to obtaining £600 by fraud at the bank in Largs and later attempting to steal more money by the same means at the branch.

Dillon committed the offences whilst on bail regarding another criminal matter at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Ian Fleming deferred sentence for background reports.

Dillon is due to be sentenced on 18 February.