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Crime

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

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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 However, between March 2016 and March 2017, the account was emptied in 10 withdrawals, with £35,000 withdrawn in just three transactions.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

Ceredigion man sentenced for selling £150,000 in illegal DVDs

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A CEREDIGION man has been sentenced for selling counterfeit DVDs worth £150,000 under major brand names without authorization.

David Robert Thomas, 47, from Sarnau, ran a sophisticated online operation, producing and selling fake DVDs labeled with brands like Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Sony, and Universal City Studios LLC. Thomas used seven different websites and managed multiple bank and PayPal accounts, including those of family members, to carry out his business.

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Counterfeiting is often thought of as a victimless crime, but it harms the local economy by undermining legitimate businesses that pay taxes and create real jobs. This result sends a clear message that counterfeit sales will not be tolerated, and we will act against offenders.”

Thomas pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Nov 11) and was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. His sentence includes a four-month curfew and fifteen Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

Under the Crime Act 2002, forfeiture proceedings will follow to reclaim the financial benefits from Thomas’s criminal activities. Judge Richards took into account the market value of equivalent genuine goods, the sophisticated setup of Thomas’s business, and his previously clean record in reaching the sentencing decision.

The case was brought forward successfully by Ceredigion County Council’s Trading Standards Service.

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Crime

Welsh shop workers face ‘surge in shoplifting linked violence and abuse’ says union

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A NEW survey by retail trade union Usdaw has revealed disturbing figures on the abuse, threats, and violence endured by Welsh shop workers, with incidents increasingly linked to shoplifting. Released during Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from November 11 to 17, the statistics highlight a troubling trend that is impacting thousands of retail employees.

Usdaw’s survey, based on responses from over 4,000 retail staff, shows that in the past year:

  • 69% experienced verbal abuse.
  • 45% were threatened by customers.
  • 17% were assaulted.

Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis commented on the findings, saying: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive. These reports from Welsh retail staff make grim reading. It is shocking to see over two-thirds of our members subjected to abuse, threats, and violence. Seven in ten of these incidents are related to theft, much of it tied to addiction and organised crime.”

Usdaw’s survey suggests that shoplifting is increasingly becoming a flashpoint for violence. Many shop workers report encountering hardened criminals who appear to steal goods “to order” or to fund addictions. According to the union, incidents are on the rise across Wales, with police-reported shoplifting up by 33% in the past year.

Usdaw member testimonies paint a vivid picture of the dangers faced on the shop floor:

  • One respondent described being “spat at, pushed against a wall, punched, and threatened with a knife.”
  • Another reported that, after refusing to sell alcohol, they were told to “F**k off” and threatened with a beating by a group of five.
  • Others spoke of being punched, spat on, and verbally abused, with threats that often left lasting emotional scars.

New measures on the horizon

Usdaw has been calling for greater legal protection for retail workers for years, and it appears these calls are finally being heard. The recent Crime and Policing Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, proposes to:

  • End the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has been a source of frustration for retailers.
  • Introduce town centre banning orders for repeat offenders.
  • Allocate funding for tackling organised shoplifting and increase police presence in shopping areas.

“We welcome these new measures and hope they will provide much-needed protection,” said Mr. Lillis. “After 14 years of neglect under successive Tory governments, we are encouraged by the steps the new Labour government is taking to address the retail crime epidemic.”

As Christmas approaches—a time when retail crime tends to peak—Usdaw is urging the public to “respect shop workers” and remain calm as stores become busier.

Usdaw, which represents around 360,000 members, primarily in retail, launched its Freedom From Fear Campaign to tackle the growing issue of violence against shop workers. The final results of the 2024 survey are expected in March 2025.

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Crime

Pembroke Dock resident faces court over dog control breaches

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PHILIP Murray, 52, of 11 Picton Place, Pembroke Dock, will appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 14) to face several charges of breaching a community protection notice. The notice, issued under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, required Murray to control his dogs in response to repeated disturbances.

The charges relate to incidents from May to September 2024, when Murray allegedly failed to comply with the restrictions set out in a notice issued on January 3, 2024. Court documents state that despite multiple warnings, Murray continued to disregard the order, leading to ongoing issues linked to his dogs’ behaviour.

If found guilty, Murray could face a Level 4 fine for each offence. The hearing is scheduled to take place from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Courtroom 1, presided over by the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Adult Panel.

The case underscores the role of community protection notices in addressing persistent anti-social behavior.

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