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Irish Wedding News

11/04/2013

Groom 'Stole £18k' From Bride's Family

A bride returned home from her honeymoon to discover her new husband had stolen £18k from her family's business.

Charlie Astrand (25) was told of the news by her father, Graham (53), the Daily Mail has said.

Astrand, a primary school teacher, had married 31-year-old Huw Jones – a sales executive at her father's car dealership – in a £20k wedding.

The bride's family paid for the wedding and contributed towards the newlyweds honeymoon on the Caribbean island of Aruba. However, Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in South Wales heard how the couple were away for two days when Mr Astrand made the discovery that his new son-in-law had fiddled with the company's books. He went to the police, but was advised to let the couple complete their honeymoon. When the couple were due to arrive home, Mr Astrand then waited at the airport's arrivals lounge with the proof that Jones had forged signatures to steal from both the business and customers.

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Speaking about the revelation, Ms Astrand said: "It was the worst moment of my life - I had just had the most blissful honeymoon with the man I loved.

"But then everything was shattered. My world came crashing in on me. I saw my dad waiting to pick me up as planned - he gave me the biggest hug I've ever had.

"But Huw's family were there too and they just sort of whisked him away without a word. I asked my dad what was wrong and he just said: 'Come to the car'."

Charlie was then shown the paperwork that proved her new husband had defrauded the family firm of more than £18,000.

In court, Prosecutor Heath Edwards said: "Jones had forged signatures, manipulated the accounts and sweetened deals.

"He did it to impress his fiancee and her family - and to up his sales figures for commission. Jones forged documents and upped the amount of money in loan applications, unbeknown to customers.

"He misused a customer's credit card and drove another customer to the bank to get £500 cash for a deposit which he stole."

The court also heard how the accused offered free services and discounts he was not entitled to give in order to placate suspicious customers.

Jones avoided a jail sentence yesterday after admitting to a total of 24 charges of fraud, forgery and theft in court. His family have now pledged to pay back £18,000.

(JP/CD)

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"A bride returned home from her honeymoon to discover her new husband had stolen £18k from her family's business."