A bereavement charity has said it is “deeply saddened and disappointed” after a former employee was jailed for defrauding the organisation.
Stephanie Jones from north Wales has been jailed for 12 months after admitted to fraud by abuse of position while working for 2 Wish Upon A Star.
Jones submitted 19 false invoices to the charity which totalled £3,570 in nine months between 2021 and 2022, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
It added that Jones posed as a doctor and claimed that she'd had a twin who died from cancer to help her get a job with the bereavement charity – both claims turned out to be untrue.
Jones admitted to fraud by abuse of position and was jailed for 12 months. Elen Owen, defending, also said all the money has been repaid to the charity.
Detective sergeant David Hall of North Wales Police’s economic crime unit said: “This was a particularly distressing case to investigate as we had to approach bereaved parents with information which would potentially add to their anguish.
“The actions of Jones were callous in the extreme, preying on the charity who are there to help people in their hour of need.
“I am grateful to the charity for their patience whilst the investigation took its course, the CPS for their work and the witnesses who assisted us in bringing her to justice.”
Following the sentencing of Jones at Caernarfon Crown Court, Rhian Mannings, CEO and founder of bereavement charity 2Wish, said: “Everyone at 2Wish is deeply saddened and disappointed by this clear breach of trust from Ms Jones.
“We would like to thank North Wales police for all of their hard work and support throughout the investigation.
“We would also like to reassure anyone who works with 2Wish – whether this is through fundraising or any other type of support – that the services we provide have in no way been affected as a result of this breach.
“We diligently followed all protocols and procedures to the letter and continue to do so to provide support to families who have experienced the sudden loss of a child or adult under 25.”
Related Articles
