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Cashier's £88,000 theft from OAPs Cashier's £88,000 theft from OAPs
(about 10 hours later)
A building society cashier has been jailed for 15 months at Swansea Crown Court after stealing almost £90,000 from three elderly customers.A building society cashier has been jailed for 15 months at Swansea Crown Court after stealing almost £90,000 from three elderly customers.
Eleanor Walters, 65, stole from three customers' accounts at the Principality in Swansea city centre over 10 years.Eleanor Walters, 65, stole from three customers' accounts at the Principality in Swansea city centre over 10 years.
The thefts only came to light a few months ago when a 92-year-old woman tried to withdraw money and was told there were not enough funds.The thefts only came to light a few months ago when a 92-year-old woman tried to withdraw money and was told there were not enough funds.
The judge told Walters he could not overlook a "sustained breach of trust".The judge told Walters he could not overlook a "sustained breach of trust".
The court heard Walters worked at the Principality on the Kingsway in the city until 2002.The court heard Walters worked at the Principality on the Kingsway in the city until 2002.
While she was there she targeted three elderly customers befriending them, earning their trust and taking control of their accounts. She then stole more than £88,000 out of their accounts over 10 years.While she was there she targeted three elderly customers befriending them, earning their trust and taking control of their accounts. She then stole more than £88,000 out of their accounts over 10 years.
PassbooksPassbooks
The theft came to light last May when 92-year old Elizabeth Lewis, who believed she had £11,500 in savings, tried to take money out of her account and was told there were insufficient funds.The theft came to light last May when 92-year old Elizabeth Lewis, who believed she had £11,500 in savings, tried to take money out of her account and was told there were insufficient funds.
Prosecution barrister John Hipkin said the exact mechanisms of how Walter's stole the money was known only by the defendant. Prosecution barrister John Hipkin said the exact mechanisms of how Walters stole the money was known only by the defendant.
After Mrs Lewis realised something was wrong, auditors found discrepancies between the apparent balance of passbooks and the actual amount of money in the accounts.After Mrs Lewis realised something was wrong, auditors found discrepancies between the apparent balance of passbooks and the actual amount of money in the accounts.
The safe keeping of our customers' accounts remains our number one priority Principality Building SocietyThe safe keeping of our customers' accounts remains our number one priority Principality Building Society
Police searched Walters' home in Morriston, Swansea and found a typewriter, paperwork from the building society and a number of customers' passbooks.Police searched Walters' home in Morriston, Swansea and found a typewriter, paperwork from the building society and a number of customers' passbooks.
The investigation found Walters' typewriter had been used to put falsify entries in the passbooks and the writing also matched her handwriting.The investigation found Walters' typewriter had been used to put falsify entries in the passbooks and the writing also matched her handwriting.
The addresses on the account had also been changed - and the new address was Walters' sisters.The addresses on the account had also been changed - and the new address was Walters' sisters.
'Genuine shame''Genuine shame'
She also stole thousands of pounds from two other customers but repaid the money before they realised.She also stole thousands of pounds from two other customers but repaid the money before they realised.
A statement from Mrs Lewis' daughter, Helen Griffiths, was read out in court.A statement from Mrs Lewis' daughter, Helen Griffiths, was read out in court.
In it she described how the theft had affected her elderly mother's health that there had been a deterioration in her well-being and that physically it had worn her down.In it she described how the theft had affected her elderly mother's health that there had been a deterioration in her well-being and that physically it had worn her down.
The two other victims did not actually realise money had been stolen from their accounts until after Walters had already paid it back, but still a big shock for them when they found out.The two other victims did not actually realise money had been stolen from their accounts until after Walters had already paid it back, but still a big shock for them when they found out.
Sentencing, Judge Michael Burr said it was clear Walters had set out over 10 years or more to steal money from her employers and people who invested money with them.Sentencing, Judge Michael Burr said it was clear Walters had set out over 10 years or more to steal money from her employers and people who invested money with them.
Some of the £88,000 has now been repaid and the remaining money would be paid from the equity in Walters' home.Some of the £88,000 has now been repaid and the remaining money would be paid from the equity in Walters' home.
He told Walters she had shown genuine shame and remorse but that the effect of the dishonesty and sustained breach of trust, including on a very elderly lady, could not be overlooked.He told Walters she had shown genuine shame and remorse but that the effect of the dishonesty and sustained breach of trust, including on a very elderly lady, could not be overlooked.
Walters sobbed in the dock as she was jailed.Walters sobbed in the dock as she was jailed.
After the case, Principality Building Society said it had taken the matter "extremely seriously" after first reporting it to police nine months ago.After the case, Principality Building Society said it had taken the matter "extremely seriously" after first reporting it to police nine months ago.
In a statement the society said: "We have robust processes in place to ensure the security of customers' funds and those procedures are kept under regular review.In a statement the society said: "We have robust processes in place to ensure the security of customers' funds and those procedures are kept under regular review.
"The safe keeping of our customers' accounts remains our number one priority"."The safe keeping of our customers' accounts remains our number one priority".
The statement added an "extensive and rigorous internal investigation" had taken place and the society was committed to making good any loss sustained as a result of the theft.The statement added an "extensive and rigorous internal investigation" had taken place and the society was committed to making good any loss sustained as a result of the theft.