Nationwide Cashier Ordered to Repay £12,000 After Stealing from Customers
BBC News reports that a building society cashier, Kelly Kershaw, has been ordered to repay over £12,000 after stealing from customers to fund her lavish holidays.
Stealing from Vulnerable Customers
Kershaw, aged 54, stole £13,333.26 from customers at Nationwide in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, including vulnerable and elderly individuals. She even forged the signature of a man with learning disabilities.
Fraud Charges and Sentencing
Kershaw admitted five counts of fraud and was initially jailed for 16 months in May. She subsequently returned to court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, where she was ordered to repay £12,630 within three months, or face an additional five months in prison.
Offending Details
Her victims included an 85-year-old man with cognitive abilities impaired by a stroke, from whom she stole £6,300. On another occasion, she logged a withdrawal as £500, pocketing £300 herself from an 85-year-old customer.
Social Media Clues
Kershaw boasted about her lavish lifestyle on Facebook, posting pictures of safaris, European getaways, and skiing trips. Her spending habits raised suspicions among colleagues, leading to an internal investigation.
Judge's Ruling
Judge Nicola Jones emphasized the need for deterrence, stating that Kershaw's pattern of offending required jail time to prevent others from engaging in similar activities.