TV host steals £100k from vulnerable mother to fund lavish lifestyle

A Scottish TV and radio presenter is facing a prison sentence after she embezzled more than £100,000 from her dementia-stricken mother. Hayley Mathews, 43, took the hefty sum from the bank account of Janice Matthews after being granted power of attorney over her mother's financial affairs.

Mathews, from Edinburgh, spent the stolen cash on a £1300 Mulberry handbag, swimming lessons for her children, and cash withdrawals totalling £38,000. The court also heard that Mathews used her mother's money for Amazon purchases amounting to £13,648.97, £5544.17 with the White Company, and an additional £1137.82 on eBay purchases.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was informed that the former STV2 presenter made purchases with Harvey Nichols, H&M, Milton Brown and Monsoon, and splurged on goods from Greggs, Deliveroo, Five Guys and Hotel Chocolat. Mathews admitted to embezzling £120,000 from her mother while acting as power of attorney between September 24, 2019 and November 8, 2022 when she appeared in court, reports the Daily Record.

READ MORE: Do not approach these two wanted men if you see them

READ MORE: Prison officer behind bars after she was 'love-bombed' by inmate

Prosecutor Nadia Stewart told the court that Janice Matthews was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2019 and had an alcohol addiction which led to her being admitted to hospital under a compulsion order. Hayley Matthews took control of her mother's financial affairs but concerns were raised about the finances following Mrs Matthews' death in September 2021.

The court was informed that when Matthews' sister probed into the amount she would inherit from their mother's estate, the broadcaster appeared to be "dismissive" of her concerns. Subsequently the Matthews family obtained Mrs Matthews' bank statements, where they found that "cashline withdrawals had substantially increased" following her hospital admission.

Dad Alistair Matthews, a retired firefighter, approached his daughter for clarification in January 2022, leading to her confession that she had been using substantial funds for personal benefit. The court heard Matthews told her father: "You're right, I've been shocking handling mum's money and paperwork. I've spent what I shouldn't and used money I shouldn't."

She claimed: "I wasn't in a very good place when looking after her but I tried my best. I massively over compensated and used money that I shouldn't have but I tried my absolute best." The court heard Matthews' sister meticulously examined their mother's banking activities and upon discovering a shortfall of around £100,000, she called the police.

Following her arrest on January 5, Matthews acknowledged during questioning that she had made purchases with the siphoned funds, including buying hampers from the upscale Harvey Nichols for hospital staff, and clothing for her partner. The prosecutor outlined that among the fraudulent transactions there were 371 PayPal payments between October 2019 and September 2021, totalling £46,763.

Defence solicitor Kieran Clegg highlighted his client's lack of employment, labelling the issue as "a very serious matter" and pointing to her "very complex home situation" with her two children. He requested the continuation of her bail. Sheriff Alison Stirling allowed Matthews bail but advisedher to "make arrangements for the absence from your household." She deferred sentencing for additional reports and a restriction of liberty order evaluation next month.

Matthews, previously seen on the STV2 cultural programme Live at Five, has a past stretching across the media as a radio host for Talk 107, Forth 1, and Real Radio, and has contributed as a newspaper columnist before stepping down last year. Her career also included collaborations with Lorraine Kelly on the STV Children's Appeal live broadcast and celebrity interviews with figures such as Jason Donovan, Amy Winehouse, Andy Williams, Nile Rogers and Gary Numan. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here.