A Renfrewshire care worker who made vile sexual remarks to a colleague has been banned from his profession.

Gerald McAnally asked his horrified workmate to send him pictures of herself in "sexy underwear" and told her she should try a lesbian relationship.

He also approached her from behind and kissed her neck.

McAnally's creepy behaviour took place while he was employed as a support worker with the Richmond Fellowship, in Paisley.

A complaint about his conduct led to a probe by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), which has now ruled that he should be struck off.

In a report published after the investigation concluded, the SSSC outlined a catalogue of harassment which started in February 2021 when McAnally asked his workmate if she had any "secret lovers hidden in cupboards."

The next month, he sent her several inappropriate messages, including telling her they should have sex.

The woman responded by making it clear his suggestion was "ridiculous."

In April, he sent the woman another message, telling her: "It’s very hot, you should wear something loose and low cut."

McAnally also suggested that she visit him while on a sleepover, telling her: "I’ll make you welcome."

Days later, he kissed the woman on the neck without her consent.

Further comments were made, with McAnally telling her: "Shops are open if you need any sexy underwear" and "if I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me."

The SSSC ruled that his behaviour caused emotional harm to his colleague – referred to in the report as 'ZZ' – and ordered that he be removed from the register allowing him to work in the caring industry.

The report stated: “Your sexually motivated actions risked causing and did cause emotional harm to your colleague.

“Placing a colleague in a vulnerable and distressing position has the potential to impact their work and therefore the level of care provided to service users.

“Your behaviour was persistent over a period of two months, despite ZZ asking you to stop, which demonstrates a disregard for the welfare of others and your responsibilities under the SSSC Codes of Practice.

“Your behaviour demonstrates values issues which are fundamentally incompatible with professional registration.”

The SSSC concluded that, since McAnally’s actions could have damaged the reputation of the profession, he should be removed from the register, effective from January 4.