Crime

Mother jailed for Stealing £50,000 of daughters’ inheritance

Published

6 months ago

May 31, 2024

KATHERINE HILL, 53, from Alltwen in Pontardawe, Neath Port Talbot, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for stealing £50,000 of inheritance from her two daughters out of “greed and spite.”

Her 93-year-old father, Gerald Hill from Fairwood in Swansea, received a 12-month suspended sentence for his involvement in the fraud.

The sentencing took place on Friday at Swansea Crown Court, where Recorder Greg Bull KC described the defendants as “thoroughly dishonest people.” The court heard that the money was left to Katherine Hill’s daughters, Jessica and Gemma Thomas, by their grandmother, Margaret Hill, who passed away in 2013. Katherine Hill also inherited approximately £40,000 from her late mother’s estate.

Prosecutor James Hartson explained that the inheritance for the sisters was to be held in trust until they turned 25, with Katherine and Gerald Hill serving as trustees. However, between March 2016 and March 2017, the account was emptied in 10 withdrawals, with £35,000 withdrawn in just three transactions.

The fraudulent activity was uncovered in 2018 when Gemma Thomas sought to access some of the funds for a house deposit. Initially, a civil investigation was launched, but the family eventually contacted the police.

The court was told that Katherine Hill recruited her elderly father to assist in the fraud, exploiting him to carry out her scheme. Mr Hartson highlighted that Gerald Hill’s involvement was due to coercion by his daughter, making his culpability considerably less.

The victims’ initial attempts to recover the stolen funds through insurers were thwarted by misleading submissions from the defendants, claiming the money had already been received. The stolen funds remain unaccounted for, and a proceeds of crime act will be initiated to recover them.

The theft has had a profound impact on the victims. In a statement, Gemma Thomas described the emotional and financial toll, stating she has been left in significant debt and suffers from anxiety. Jessica Thomas, now 21, recounted her severe mental trauma and need for counselling during her teenage years. She expressed relief at the sentencing but doubted her mother would ever feel remorse for her actions.

Jessica also voiced her disgust at her grandfather’s involvement, noting how he and her mother had essentially abandoned them. Despite the family’s betrayal, she hopes to move forward now that justice has been served.

In defence of Katherine Hill, Matt Murphy noted her lack of previous convictions and her previous role overseeing numerous accounts at a high street bank. Harry Dickens, representing Gerald Hill, emphasised his client’s advanced age and isolation, stating he is unlikely to reoffend.

Addressing Katherine Hill, Recorder Bull condemned her actions, saying she was driven by envy and malice. “You were so annoyed that your daughters received more money than you, that you took their inheritance,” he said. “You did it in greed and spite, using the money as a weapon against your own daughters. I can’t imagine a more cynical breach of trust than this.”

As Katherine Hill was led away to begin her sentence, she kissed her father on the cheek, marking a sombre end to a case of familial betrayal and greed.

For further updates and community news, stay tuned to The Pembrokeshire Herald.

Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Motorist manned from driving after being caught over limit

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been ordered off the roads after driving through Pembroke town centre when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Just before 1am on October 31, police officers stopped a Vauxhall Zafira that was being driven along South Road by Cameron Sell, 23, who was exceeding the speed limit.

“He was acting erratically when he was speaking to the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverofrdwest magistrates this week.

A roadside breath test proved positive and subsequent breath tests carried out at the police station showed Sell had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

After considering the facts, magistrates fined Sell £300 and ordered him to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.