A former trustee of a support group for people dealing with addiction issues has said it exposed “vulnerable people to a monster”.
Peter Duncan, who was on the board of Recovery Dundee from September to November this year, said the decision to allow Michael McCash to work with the organisation had put the well-being of service users at risk.
McCash, known as Mikie, last week admitted of a total of 12 assaults on four former partners and endangering the life of one between 2008 and 2016.
He started helping with the group in November last year.
Recovery Dundee founder Sharon Brand, who accompanied McCash to court yesterday, linked up with the 28-year-old in November last year when the pair launched a free fitness class called Revive.
The pair then joined up with Ashley Bonini’s group Let’s Talk Tayside to form Let’s Talk Recovery.
The group aims to support recovering addicts and those with mental health issues to build up their mental well-being and confidence.
Ms Bonini has reportedly told associates she was unaware of the criminal investigation into McCash.
Last week, Ms Brand stood by McCash and said he was “working hard to become the man he is capable of becoming”.
Mr Duncan said he had “no idea” about the police probe when he was involved with Recovery Dundee and was speechless when he heard.
He said: “I am happy to confirm that I was never made aware of Mr McCash’s violence inflicted against these young and defenceless women.
“I also distance myself from the statement made by the current board. I feel that he has been targeting the most vulnerable people in Dundee to gain a lesser sentence. To me this demonstrates a wicked level of cunning on his part.
“They should not be standing by him. Recovery Dundee have exposed vulnerable people to a monster.
“I’m distraught for those lassies. The first I heard about his court case was in the newspapers.
“What made it worse was Recovery Dundee’s statement supporting him.”
One of McCash’s victims said she was horrified to hear he had been working with vulnerable women.
She said: “I think the charity work was all to make him look good.
“I know someone attending the Revive class who confided to him that she was abused by her partner and he hugged her.
“He shouldn’t have been allowed near these women.
“I’m so glad people know about his Jekyll and Hyde personality now. I was so worried that people wouldn’t believe it.”
