A Nationwide cashier who stole thousands from vulnerable customers was unmasked by colleagues after posting pictures of her lavish holidays to social media, a court has heard.
Kelly Kershaw, 54, earned just £1,400-per-month working as a cashier for the building society, but frequently boasted about her luxurious trips on Facebook, including to Dubai, the Maldives and Indonesia.
Kershaw, from Nefyn in north Wales, wrote she was ‘living and loving life one adventure at a time’ on her social media page, as pictures showed her sailing, skiing and embarking on an African safari.
She also visited Paris, Tuscany, the Greek islands for a Mamma Mia inspired trip, as well as Mexico and Norway.
Mother-of-two Kershaw worked for Nationwide’s Caernarfon branch in mid-Wales for 18 years, and was regarded as a trusted member of staff.
Prosecutor Huw Evans told magistrates Kershaw stole from three of the ‘most vulnerable’ customers at the branch between 2023 and 2024.
He said it was acknowledged by staff members that she was embarking on ‘numerous’ expensive holidays and appeared to be ‘living beyond her means.’
In October 2024, an internal investigation was launched and Kershaw was suspected of forging customer signatures as well as processing cash withdrawals without customer consent.
The victims included a 49-year-old man with learning difficulties, an 85-year-old stroke victim and three other pensioners.
The court heard Nationwide has since paid out £8,630 in compensation to Kershaw’s victims.
Kershaw admitted to five counts of fraud from 2023 to 2024.
She claimed she had a ‘compulsive shopping addiction,’ gave money to beggars and paid for household bills.
She did, however, accept she used the money to holiday to the Caribbean and elsewhere.
Michael Strain, defending, said Kershaw moved to a small community before developing an illness.
He said she ‘genuinely’ does not know why she behaved in this manner.
He said: ‘She’s lost her job, good name and her reputation for honesty.’
He added that Kershaw is now working for a cleaning business.
The probation service described Kershaw’s offences as ‘despicable,’ while Magistrate Sue Wynn-Jones said her victims were ‘particularly vulnerable.’
Kershaw will be sentenced on May 8 at Caernarfon Crown Court.
A Nationwide spokesperson said: ‘We are unable to comment on any ongoing criminal proceedings as they are a matter for the court.
‘We can confirm the individual’s employment ended in November 2024.’
