Two grandchildren have been defrauded of a £50,000 inheritance after their mother was ‘annoyed’ at being left less after the death of the grandmother.
Following a trial last year, a proceeds of crime hearing at Swansea Crown Court delivered a verdict of fraud by abuse of power against Katherine Hill (52) and her father Gerald (93); who were also ordered to repay the £50,000.
The money was left to Gemma and Jessica Hill by their grandmother, Margaret Hill when she died in 2013. Aged 15 and 12 respectively at the time of their grandmother’s death, the money was placed in a trust in part managed by Katherine Hill. However Katherine Hill moved the money to an instant access saver account, from which she withdrew the inheritance to pay their mortgage and utility bills, and enjoy ‘a lifestyle they would not otherwise be able to afford’ said the judge.
Their actions were uncovered when in 2018 one of the daughters sought the money early to put toward the purchase of a property.
At the proceedings the judge said Katherine Hill had stolen the money because she was ‘so annoyed that your daughters received more money than you.’ Recorder Greg Bull KC added some of the money had been ‘laundered’ by paying Katherine Hill’s partner’s mortgage.
Summing up the judge said
“It is significant that investigations could not reveal what had happened either to that £50,000, or to what had happened to other relatively substantial sums left to Katherine Hill after her mother’s demise. She still maintains that she has never received the £50,000. I disbelieve her on that and I find her answer to be totally untruthful. Mr Lloyd is fully aware of what happened to that £50,000 and has probably helped her at least launder it, if not enjoy the fruits of her fraud.”
Katherine Hill was ordered to repay the £50,000, and was told to raise equity from her own home to repay the daughters. She was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Her Father Gerald Hill was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for 18 months. If neither of the Hills pay, they will be jailed but their debts would not be cleared.
