Principality manager jailed over £180,000 theft

Claire Free was discovered after forging a letter from a dead customer to gain access to his savings of £9,170.

Prosecutor Alison O’Shea said: “Free was suspended from work and a letter was recovered from the deceased authorising the closure of his account. That letter clearly had been forged.”

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Free, who had worked at the Society for 23 years, asked junior staff to move the money, which she falsely said was a "bonus", into her own account.

The investigation discovered that she had moved a total of £187,170.63 on 149 occasions through cheques and bank transfers.

Recorder of Cardiff Judge Eleri Rees QC, commented: “It is astonishing to find you in the dock after living most of your life caring for your family and working for 23 years at a building society.

“But the reality is that over the last 10 years you stole money from Principality Building Society. You were in a position of high trust described as a senior role.”

Kevin Seal, defending, said: "The money filled in holes in her and her family's financing."

Julie-Ann Haines, chief customer officer at Principality Building Society, commented: “Principality takes a zero tolerance approach to any form of internal fraud or indeed any form of criminal activity and fortunately this is an extremely rare occurrence in our organisation.

“We work hard to maintain the highest levels of security, carefully monitoring our business behind the scenes to protect our members and the integrity of our business.

“All instances of internal theft or any form of criminal misconduct are taken extremely seriously and will be reported to the police. Principality colleagues are trusted with a duty of care to act with integrity and safeguard the interests of our members. This matter has been dealt with in an appropriate manner and to the full extent of the law.”