Woman who stole £41,000 from war veteran great-uncle to pay back £5

A Welsh woman, who admitted writing herself cheques worth £41,000 from her war veteran great uncle’s cheque book, was ordered to pay back just £5.

Hayley Price, 42, of Brynavon, previously pleaded guilty to 12 counts of forgery, using her great uncle, Arthur Edwards' cheque book to write 154 cheques to herself.

She was given a 52-week sentence suspended for two years, a 12-month supervision order and 200 hours unpaid work after a trial of issue in August.



Price appeared in Cardiff crown court yesterday for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, where the court heard she gained £41,103.14 from the offences.

Prosecutor Ruth Smith said Price has no assets and invited Judge David Wynn Morgan to make a confiscation order for a nominal amount between £1 and £5. Judge Morgan ordered Price to pay £5 by December 8.

Mr Edwards’ niece, Jayne Edwards said the hearing brought an end to a very difficult time for her uncle. She said: “He will never see his money again and the fact that a member of his own family stole from him is very sad. I don't have a sense of justice and I'm worried for other people because it's sending out the wrong message - it's flabbergasting.”