A woman has been found guilty of stealing more than £5,000 from her own grandmother, whom she should have been caring for. Donna Hughes, aged 40, withdrew cash from her grandmother’s bank account over 60 times without her knowledge. In a court hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court, it was revealed that Hughes used the stolen money to fund her drug and alcohol habits.
The victim, Llywela Elizabeth Roberts, in her late eighties, had health issues including an abscess on her spine and limited mobility. Despite receiving care from carers multiple times a day, Hughes, who was one of the trusted carers, took advantage of her position to exploit her grandmother financially.
Initially, Hughes was asked to assist her grandmother with financial matters, including withdrawing money from the bank for household expenses. However, over time, Hughes began taking increasingly larger amounts without permission. When Ms Roberts returned from the hospital and discovered her bank account was overdrawn, she confronted Hughes, who initially evaded questions before admitting to taking the money.
During the court proceedings, it emerged that Hughes had stolen a total of £5,155.92 from her grandmother. Hughes, who admitted to the fraud, attributed her actions to financial difficulties, substance misuse, and the stress of caring for her teenage son. Despite acknowledging her wrongdoing, Hughes expressed remorse and a desire for reconciliation with her family.
In sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts handed Hughes a six-month suspended prison sentence, along with a requirement to undergo rehabilitation activities and repay the stolen amount to her grandmother. The judge also imposed a restriction on Hughes contacting her grandmother without professional supervision for six months.
Hughes, residing in Ffordd Wynne, Blaenau Ffestiniog, was deemed to pose a low risk to the public, with the court acknowledging efforts towards family reconciliation. The case highlighted the vulnerability of elderly individuals and the importance of safeguarding them from financial exploitation. Jurisdictions remain vigilant in prosecuting those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain.