Social worker stole £16,000 of widow’s money

ASOCIAL worker stole more than £16,000 from a widow she befriended while caring for her husband, a court has heard.

Lisa Hoskins, 51, was sentenced for eight counts of fraud at a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday

The court was told the case was meant to go to trial before she pleaded guilty earlier this year.

Hoskins, formerly of Hanbury Road, Pontypool, stole more than £16,000 from Grace Watkins following the death of the victim’s husband in 2018.

Prosecutor Roger Griffiths told the court: “At the time of the offence the defendant was employed as a social worker by Newport City Council.”

Speaking about the victim’s husband, Mr Griffiths continued: “Following his death, she continued to visit Mrs Watkins even though it was not part of her duties. She logged 19 visits to Grace Watkins between August and November 2018. Sadly, Grace Watkins died on February 10, 2019.”

It wasn’t until after Mrs Watkins passed away that Hoskins’ actions came to light. When the victim’s property was visited two months later it was discovered her credit card had been used, and had continued to be used after her death.

Investigations by the police identified the defendant having used the card on different occasions – it was discovered the card had been used at Trago Mills in Merthyr Tydfil and at a John Lewis store in Cribbs Causeway.

The court was told around £10,000 was spent before Mrs Watkins passed away, and over £6,000 was spent following her death.

Mr Griffiths said: “She admitted using the card both before and after the death, but said it was all with consent.”

Defending Hoskins, Heath Edwards asked if the judge could suspend any sentence imposed, and said Mrs Watkins “never knew” that any offending was taking place.

His Honour Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant she would have been able to recognise a vulnerable person when she saw one, and would realise when they came to trust her in her role.

Judge Parry said in cases like this the victims often come to think of the defendant as “the only friend they have got.”

“You took advantage of that,” he told Hoskins.

“This was a really despicable offence.”

Judge Parry also noted there are statements that imply the defendant “behaved completely out of character”, but also drew attention to the fact that the defendant misused her position of trust over a “significant period of time.”

Hoskins was handed a 16-month sentence, which is to be suspended for two years.

She was also ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, and an order for compensation was also granted.