Hospital worker stole £1,430 from patient

AHOSPITAL worker has been jailed for stealing more than £1,000 from a vulnerable patient in a “gross breach of trust”.

Julie Llewellyn stole £1,430 from her victim in seven days while working on a mental health ward at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.

Sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: “This was a cynical and despicable offence.”

The court heard the offending took place between July 14 and July 23 last year.

Matthew Roberts, prosecuting, said the victim’s family described her as “vulnerable”.

He explained the woman’s personal belongings, including her bank cards, were checked in during her stay at the hospital.

The offending came to light in August last year when the woman’s sister checked her post at home and found a bank statement.

Prosecutors said the statement showed nine transactions, ranging from £40 to £400, had been made in a seven-day period. Llewellyn was interviewed and said the woman had given her the bank card and asked her to make the withdrawals on her behalf.

Mr Roberts said the offending was a “gross breach of trust”.

Llewellyn, 49, from Parc Aberaman in Abercwmboi, Aberdare, pleaded guilty to one count of theft.

Lucy Crowther, defending, stressed her client had no previous convictions.

The court heard she had 25 years’ experience and had been employed at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital for 15 years.

She told the court that Llewellyn could not offer a real explanation for her offending.

Ms Crowther added: “She did not feel herself. She does not recognise the person who behaved in this way.”

The defence barrister asked the judge to suspend any sentence of imprisonment.

Judge Jenkins noted she worked with “very vulnerable people”.

He added: “You preyed upon the vulnerability of another who was in your care.”

Llewellyn was jailed for eight months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.