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A cashier working at a Nationwide branch in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after stealing from vulnerable customers to finance extravagant holidays. Kelly Kershaw, 54, committed fraud by forging signatures of elderly clients and a man with learning disabilities during her time at the building society. Her unauthorized withdrawals funded trips to locations such as Africa, Paris, Tuscany, and Dubai.
The fraudulent activity, which took place over a 12-month period from December 2023 to October 2024, amounted to at least £8,605. Kershaw admitted to five counts of fraud during her court appearance. Some of her victims were particularly vulnerable, including a 49-year-old man with learning disabilities whose bank card was held at the branch for safekeeping following prior fraudulent incidents, as well as an 85-year-old stroke survivor. In one instance, Kershaw recorded a withdrawal of £500 on the man’s behalf when he had requested only £200 and kept the difference for herself.
The fraud came to light after colleagues noticed Kershaw posting lavish holiday photos on Facebook, which raised suspicions and triggered an internal investigation. When questioned by Nationwide investigators, she confessed to the crimes, describing her victims as “easy targets who wouldn’t miss the money.” Kershaw’s defense attorney explained that she had struggled with poor mental health and developed a compulsive spending addiction after relocating to North Wales in 2020. “She is ashamed of her actions, and doesn’t recognise the person she sees as having committed these crimes,” the barrister told the court.
Judge Timothy Petts, presiding at Caernarfon Crown Court, stated that Kershaw’s actions damaged public trust in financial institution employees and emphasized that her motive was greed. “You deliberately targeted vulnerable victims,” he said, highlighting the irony that one victim’s card was kept at the branch to protect him from fraudsters. The court heard that a victim’s brother was present during sentencing and described the offense as a “mean crime” that brought shame upon Kershaw’s own family. While Nationwide has reimbursed all affected customers, a further hearing scheduled for July will determine how much Kershaw must repay
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