A COUNCIL boss stole £62,000 meant for Grenfell survivors and blew it on luxury holidays and Ann Summers lingerie, a court heard.

Jenny McDonagh, 39, used the cash to fund her lavish lifestyle which included expensive meals out and hair appointments.

She was branded “beyond contempt” by one survivor of the tragedy in West London which left 72 people dead in June last year.

Survivor Edward Daffarn told Isleworth Crown Court: “It is a reopening of wounds that they are desperately trying to heal.

"The fact that this individual stole money that was meant to assist vulnerable members of our community to fund lavish holidays and a gambling habit is truly beyond contempt.

"On a personal level it disgusts and sickens me that a fraud against our community has been perpetrated by someone who was employed by the local authority.

"Instead of showing empathy to the victims of the fire this individual saw our predicament merely as a chance for personal financial profit.”

McDonagh today admitted also defrauding the NHS of more than £35,000 while working at the Medway NHS Foundation Trust.

She was charged with the offence when she appeared for sentencing for defrauding Grenfell victims while working at Kensington and Chelsea Council.

Ben Holt, prosecuting, said: "She set up a bogus company called Tresdoor Ltd which bore her own bank details.

"She altered the details of a registered supplier of the NHS to Tresdoor."

A Santander bank card with the same bank details as the company was found in her home.

It was found after she was arrested at her office at the V&A museum in London over the Grenfell fraud in August.

McDonagh, of Abbey Wood, south east London, admitted two counts of fraud by abuse of position, one of theft by employee and one of converting criminal property while she was a finance manager for the Grenfell survivors' fund.

Mr Holt added: "The defendant was employed by the council at a time of crisis.

“She was specifically hired to deal with an on-going delicate and sensitive situation.

"The expenditure is heavy and frequent, considerable sums are spent at high street stores, for example Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's.

"The money is spent on days out - evidence by trips on the Thames Clipper and regularly visits to restaurants.

"The money is spent on frivolous items; for example, £48 spend at Ann Summers on May 31. These are not everyday essentials - far from it."

Survivors of the fire could opt for cash payments into their bank accounts or pre-paid cash cards which could be used to spend the money.

In total she took about £62,000 from pre-paid cash cards meant for Fadumo Ahmed, Sacha Salaabi, Christos Fairburn, Marlyn Lopez and Edward Daffarn.

McDonagh was arrested in August and quizzed about the crimes - but continued to use the cash cards after her release.

Neil Ross, mitigating, said McDonagh apologised to her victims and added: "She found herself so lost that this frivolous spending caused by her serious offending was her escape.

"She has destroyed her marriage her husband has now moved out of the home they shared.”

McDonagh was remanded in custody to be sentenced for both frauds tomorrow.