A solicitor stole more than £21,000 from the legal firm he was working for when he was "experiencing financial difficulties".

Paul O'Donnell, 34, from Glasgow, pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday to embezzling £21,485 from the premises of Thorley Stephenson on South Bridge in the city between November 2012 and September 2014.

Fiscal depute Gerard Druggan told Sheriff Frank Crowe that O'Donnell had joined the Edinburgh firm after working for a firm of solicitors in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.

Investigations began when it appeared payments made to O'Donnell by clients, who had sought legal advice from him, had not been lodged with the firm's cashiers office.

Mr Druggan said 11 clients were involved and handed over sums of money to O'Donnell ranging from £750 to £1800.

The Law Society of Scotland and police investigated the allegations and O'Donnell was arrested in February 2015.

The fiscal said O'Donnell told police: "He had had financial difficulties and was using the money for general expenses".

Defence solicitor, Murray Robertson, said no money had been repaid so far but his client was taking steps to do so.

He said O'Donnell had been declared bankrupt and his house was going on the market in the next week or so.

There was still £78,000 on the mortgage but the house was valued at £140,000.

Mr Robertson said the house was in the joint names of O'Donnell and his wife and that O'Donnell would get £50,000.

"He fully intends to pay the money back " said Mr Robertson.

"He is no longer practising as a solicitor and has taken this on the chin."

Sheriff Crowe deferred sentence on O'Donnell until July and told him: "I will like to see that repayment has been made. The firm will have to repay the clients and retain their reputation".