A CHARITY which lost £3,570 to one of its own employees from Caernarfon has expressed its sadness at her “clear breach of trust” following her sentencing.

Stephanie Jones, 30, of Tai Newyddion, Nebo, was jailed for 12 months yesterday (March 22) after submitting 19 false invoices for counselling sessions with the charity “2Wish”.

This was between August 2020 and January 2021, after Jones had taken up a role with the charity as an immediate support worker the previous February.

Rhian Mannings, chief executive of 2Wish, which supports those affected by sudden death in children and young people in Wales, founded the charity after the loss of her son and husband in 2012.

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She 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 continue to provide support to families who have experienced the sudden loss of a child or adult under 25.”

At Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday, it was heard that she lied about having a twin sister who died of cancer aged five, and about having a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in sociology.

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Jones was also said to have fabricated stories about children who had died, and the reactions of their relatives.

Another instance saw Jones make a referral about a young person who she went to school with, who had been murdered.

Detective Sergeant David Hall, of North Wales Police’s Economic Crime Unit, added: “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 Crown Prosecution Service for their work, and the witnesses who assisted us in bringing her to justice.”

The full amount taken from 2Wish by Jones, who Judge Nicola Saffman called a “chronic liar”, was repaid in full, the court heard.

Judge Saffman described her behaviour as “utterly callous” towards a “fantastic charity”, and labelled her false referrals “vile, unthinkable and despicable”.

Since it was founded, 2Wish has supported more than 5,000 individuals following the loss of 1,100 young lives.

Its ambassadors include actor Michael Sheen, singer Aled Jones, and presenter Nick Knowles.