Detective’s determination sees £400k+ returned to vulnerable fraud victim

A vulnerable 101-year-old, who was defrauded of £329,000 by a trusted carer, will have the entire sum returned to her under the Proceeds of Crime ACT (POCA).

As a result of the determined efforts of the Officer in the Case, financial investigator DC Claire Bennett, the Cardiff victim will also receive an additional £116,000 to cover the costs the victim incurred as a result of defendant Rhian Horsey’s cruel and callous actions.

Horsey, from Pontyclun, was convicted of the fraud – carried out over a seven-year period – last year, following a lengthy and complex investigation by DC Bennett and PPU’s DC Mike James. She was jailed for five years.

At last week’s POCA hearing, Horsey was ordered to sell her own home, which has equity of £482,000, to repay her victim or face a further three years in prison.

Following the hearing DC Bennett said:

“The victim in this case trusted Horsey wholeheartedly, welcoming her in to her home and, over time, entrusting her to assist with her finances. Horsey betrayed this trust in the worst possible way, habitually stealing large sums from a person she purported to care for while portraying herself as caring and respectable.

“We were delighted to secure justice for the victim at last year’s trial and hoped the sentence handed down to Horsey sent out a strong message to others who think it’s okay to take advantage of vulnerable people in such a way.

“But that wasn’t the end of it for us; the victim in this case faced financial ruin as a result of this fraud and it was vitally important to us that we did all we could to recoup as much of what she has lost.

“To have had the entire amount returned, along with additional compensation to cover the costs that were incurred, was incredibly pleasing.

“It will never be enough to restore the victim’s trust and confidence, but we do hope it will go some way towards helping her rebuild her life.”