Crime

Finance director to appear in court accused of £500,000 care home fraud

Published

8 months ago

July 28, 2025

A WOMAN accused of defrauding a Pembrokeshire care home out of nearly half a million pounds is due to appear in court tomorrow (Tuesday, July 29).

KAREN MURRAY, aged 57, of Prospect Place, Haverfordwest, is facing a total of nine serious fraud and forgery charges in what is expected to be one of the most significant white-collar crime cases seen at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in recent years.

The case is listed for first hearing at 2:00pm.

Alleged abuse of position

Murray is alleged to have abused her position as Finance Director of East Park Care Centre, Jeffreyston, near Kilgetty between 2012 and 2024 to siphon off vast sums of money for her own personal gain.

According to the charges, Murray is accused of dishonestly obtaining more than £500,000 across multiple transactions over a decade, using her trusted role to manipulate finances and authorise fraudulent payments.

In one of the most serious allegations, she is accused of unlawfully gaining £273,174.97 between June 2013 and March 2019. Another charge alleges a separate gain of £173,783.70 between April 2013 and May 2019.

Further charges detail smaller, but still significant, alleged frauds of £15,000, £4,789, and £35,777.75, all said to have been committed while she was responsible for the financial oversight of the care centre.

Forgery charges

In addition to the fraud allegations, Murray is also charged with three counts of forgery. These include allegedly forging the signature of a fellow director on a Companies House resignation form and forging company accounts between 2012 and 2018.

One specific charge states she forged the signature of Jane Haskayne on a loan application intended for The Funding Circle in 2017.

The total amount of alleged fraudulent gain across all charges exceeds £505,000.

Possible Crown Court transfer

Given the scale and complexity of the allegations, the case is likely to be transferred to Crown Court following tomorrow’s hearing. The offences carry maximum penalties ranging from six months to 12 months’ imprisonment per charge, and unlimited fines.

The Herald will be in court to report on developments as they happen.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

11 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

11 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was heard by Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.