Teen admits theft and fraud (From Western Telegraph)

Teen admits theft and fraud

1:30pm Sunday 7th October 2012 in County News

A Hakin teenager is almost certainly on his way to prison after admitting a series of theft and fraud charges, a court heard.

Ryan Thomas, aged 18, appeared at Swansea crown court on Monday for a plea and case management hearing.

He admitted stealing £380 and £143 from Josephine Mary Watts, of Pembroke Dock, between March 8th and May 4th this year. He also admitted stealing £6,321, £4,020, £2,072 and £1,388 from Mrs Watts, all on the same day, April 20.

Thomas, of Observatory Avenue, also admitted trying to steal £2,000 from her on March 26th.

Thomas went on to admit defrauding the Department for Work and Pensions out of an emergency loan on March 13th by pretending he was Mrs Watts, and defrauding Barclays Bank on December 1st last year by claiming that Mrs Watts had authorised him to set up a direct debit.

He also admitted three offences of fraud by false representation relating to cheques he had used in Haverfordwest and Aberystwyth.

His barrister, Francis Jones, told Swansea crown court that Thomas accepted that a prison sentence would be the only outcome.

Judge Michael Burr granted Thomas bail on the condition he stayed away from Mrs Watts and her relatives.