One former BBC presenter has been found guilty of embezzling thousands of pounds from her mother.
Journalist Hayley Matthews found herself caught up in the middle of a shocked scandal after admitting to stealing £120,000 from her mother’s bank accounts. The broadcaster led a lavish lifestyle which was funded by the stolen cash between September 2019 and November 2022.
It wasn’t until her family members shared their concerns about the size of the late Ms Matthew’s estate following her death at an Edinburgh care facility in 2021. It was at this point that the truth finally came to light.
READ MORE: Beloved BBC actress dies aged 99 after incredible 50-year career as tributes pour in
READ MORE:Click for more brilliant Daily Star TV stories
The 44-year-old newsreader from Edinburgh pleaded guilty on June 27 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to one charge of embezzlement. On Thursday (July 25), she was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars.
(Image: Daily Record)
Lynne Barrie, procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, shared the family’s heartache after she was sentenced. She said: “Heyley Matthews was placed in a position of family trust to oversee her mother’s financial affairs.
“But she abused that responsibility by stealing thousands of pounds and used that money to brazenly fund an extravagant lifestyle.” Lynne also made it clear that the exploitation of vulnerable individuals would not go unpunished.
She went on: “This case demonstrates that those who seek to exploit vulnerable victims for their own personal gain will be held to account for their crimes.” The trial revealed that Matthews, who had the power of attorney over her late mother’s finances, had lied to her family about the value of her estate.
(Image: UGC)
The reporter told her relatives that her mother’s estate was only worth £36,000. But it didn’t take long before her family’s suspicions grew, leading to her sister to request her bank statements.
This was when they uncovered a pattern of excessive ATM withdrawals coinciding with Janice Matthew’s hospitalisation. After further examination by Matthew’s sister, it was revealed that nearly £100,000 was unaccounted for.
It was at this point that she informed the police of her sister’s misdeeds. Hayley was arrested on January 5 last year, and during intense questioning, the star attempted to justify some of her mother’s lavish spending as gifts for hospital staff and purchases for her partner.
(Image: Nationals Digital)
Her reckless spending spree was exposed in court, revealing a staggering 371 PayPal transactions totalling £42,763, cash withdrawals of £38,000, Amazon shopping sprees amounting to £13,649.97. This doesn’t include the luxury splurges she invested in including purchases like a £1,371 Mulberry handbag and £5,544.82 blown at the White Company.
Matthews’ bank statements also included indulgences at high-end stores such as Harvey Nichols, Kurt Geiger, and Molton Brown. She also enjoyed treats from Greggs, Deliveroo, Five Guys and Hotel Chocolat.
She was later confronted by her father Alistair in January 2022, where she confessed to misusing the funds for her personal benefit. In a series of text messages, she admitted: “You’re right, I’ve been shocking at handling mum’s money and paperwork.
“I’ve spend what I shouldn’t and used money I shouldn’t. I wasn’t in a very good place when looking after her, but I tried my best.” Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
