Trusted carer plundered life savings from 100-year-old widow to fund luxury lifestyle

A carer posed as a “guardian angel” while she plundered the life savings of a 100-year-old widow in order to fund her luxury lifestyle.

Rhian Horsey, 55, was thought to be a trusted carer to Iris Samson for over eight years but she was described as a "viper" after her actions came to light.

Horsey stole Mrs Samson’s savings and forced her to remortgage her home so she could spend on "extravagances including luxury holidays”.

Former school governor and Girl Guides leader Horsey was jailed for five years last year after she was found guilty of defrauding her victim of up to £320,000 from 2011 to 2017 after an investigation.

But now a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing was told that Horsey has £482,973 of available funds – and must pay back a total compensation figure with interest of £445,901 within three months or face another three years in jail.

Prosecutor James Wilson said: "She had taken cash from the bank for personal benefit. Horsey systematically exploited and defrauded.”

Wilson said Horsey started caring for Mrs Samson at her home in Cardiff after she suffered a heart attack.

Cardiff Crown Court heard an investigation started when Mrs Samson's daughter Kathryn Taylor became aware of the repeated withdrawals from her mother's account – including several for £500.

The court heard Mrs Samson also allowed Horsey to make cheques out to herself for her wages, but some were found with payments of up to £3,0000.

When interviewed by police, Mrs Samson said: "I trusted her completely.”

She added "She had access to everything – I trusted her with all my finances.”

Horsey, of Groesfaen, near Cardiff, denied seven counts of fraud between 2011 and 2017 totalling £226,300 but was convicted by a jury after a four-week trial last year.

Jailing her last year, recorder Mark Cotter told Horsey: "You advanced yourself as Iris's guardian angel and saving grace when in truth you were a viper. Her savings are gone.

He added: "You were dishonest and deceitful and driven by greed.”