A woman defrauded an 89-year-old family friend out of thousands of pounds in an “abominable” breach of trust, a court heard. Lowri Williams took advantage of the victim, spending nearly £5,000 on his card.
Williams, 61, of Victoria Parade, Pwllheli, admitted fraud by false representation, at Caernarfon, between December 1, 2022 and February 16, 2023.
Prosecutor Richard Edwards said the victim was 89-years-old at the time of the offending, with a number of health issues, most recently dementia.
Williams’ sister had power of attorney for the victim, who was described as very close to the family with a “tight bond between them”. He had helped the defendant financially over the years when she needed it, said Mr Edwards.
She would also drop off groceries and do some cleaning for him. Williams came into possession of his bank card, which he had allowed her to use to help with her own bills and shopping, as she was “struggling financially”.
However she spent £4,950 on his card which was “far more than was agreed”, Mr Edwards said. The victim only found out in February 2023 when he went to withdraw £1,000 from the HSBC bank in Caernarfon but was told there were insufficient funds.
This “shocked” him as he knew there should have been more than £5,000 in the bank account.
He told another sibling of Williams. The issue was raised with the defendant’s sister and it was reported to the police.
The victim said in an impact statement that when he now misplaces an item he fears somebody has taken it. He had been left nervous and “upset that someone I trust thought they could take advantage of me”.
Elen Owen, defending, said her client was a 61-year-old mum and gran, of previous good character, who had worked in the care industry.
She lived in a small community and close family and these proceedings had caused her “shame and distress”. Williams did “take advantage of the generosity” of the victim and had got “carried away”.
The court heard new legislation that recently come into effect meant any prison sentence of 12 months or less must now be suspended if a defendant is aged 18 or over and there were no exceptional circumstances.
Judge Simon Mills said she had behaved in a “grossly dishonest way towards a vulnerable man who trusted you and who you treated in the most abominable way”.
The judge said he wasn’t impressed with the pre-sentence report, where she appeared to be blaming everyone else, “all completely flying in the face of your acceptance in a court of law that you were guilty”.
She had now accepted the “stupidity” of that approach, but had made a “cynical choice” to come to the crown court. She initially pleaded not guilty. “You are right to feel shame,” he said.
He said, under the new legislation, it was his duty now to impose a suspended sentence. He sentenced Williams to 34 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.
She must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and observe a 7pm to 7am curfew.
There was also a restraining order from approaching or contacting the victim for five years. She must also pay £1,100 compensation. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here