A “THOROUGHLY dishonest” Cardigan woman defrauded her then partner out of £29,000 while at the same time stealing from her grandmother, a judge heard yesterday (Thursday, February 27).

Nia Parsons, aged 35, received a police caution for the theft and yesterday a suspended prison sentence for the fraud.

Sophie Hill, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court how Parsons’ partner of 14 years, Philip James, set up West Coast Heating Ltd and appointed Parsons as company secretary.

Her job was to pay wages and suppliers using the company’s online account with Lloyds Bank.

The firm rented premises from Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan and a representative contacted Mr James to tell him he was behind with the rent.

Mr James checked the bank account and the rent appeared to have been paid, but not to the correct account.

Mr James investigated further and discovered that what seemed to be legitimate payments were being made to accounts that turned out to be under the control of Parsons.

In all, said Miss Hill, Parsons, of Golwg y Castell, Cardigan, had fraudulently transferred £29,050 to what were effectively her own bank accounts.

Miss Hill said Lloyds Bank had told Mr James he would not be reimbursed.

Parsons was questioned by police but at first denied responsibility and then refused to allow officers to examine her own bank accounts. They successfully applied for court orders and were able to trace the transfers.

Miss Hill said the offending took place between September, 2017, and August, 2018.

On March 26, 2018, £60 went missing from Parsons’ grandmother’s money box shortly after Parsons had visited her.

Relatives set up a camera and Parsons was then filmed taking more money from the box. That offending was dealt with by a caution.

Parsons’ barrister, Dyfed Thomas, said she and Mr James had three children but had never lived together or had a joint bank account.

He said that, according to Parsons, she needed the money to look after the children. And she had stolen from her grandmother for the same reason, and in particular to pay a child minder.

“The money went on the family and not on high living. It was inexcusable and criminal but there has not been any extravagant spending,” he added.

Mr Thomas said Parsons had repaid the company £2,600 and she and Mr James were no longer in a relationship.

Judge Paul Thomas said Parsons had been a thoroughly dishonest woman and she could not complain if he sent her directly to jail.

But that would have a serious effect on her children.

“A cynic might say she should have thought about that.

“This was not one-off offending but frauds over a period of 11 months. You were and still are severely in debt,” he added.

Parsons was jailed for 18 months, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

She must also complete 15 days of a rehabilitation activity to be decided by the probation service.

She had admitted fraud by abuse of her position within the company.