A Plaid Cymru local branch treasurer has been convicted of fraud and forgery after moving party funds into her own bank account and submitting falsified paperwork.
Nicola Hewer, 39, of Central Street, Pwllpant, Caerphilly, appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court, where the court heard she transferred party funds into her own bank account in eight instalments. She also admitted making a false document on March 19 this year, intending that it would be accepted as genuine.
Offences and Guilty Pleas
Laura Thomas, prosecuting, said the offences took place between February 24 and June 19 last year. Hewer, who was branch treasurer for Plaid's Caerphilly branch, abused her position by transferring money from Plaid Cymru funds into her own bank account in eight instalments.
Hewer admitted one charge of fraud and one of forgery. She was fined a total of £400, reduced by £200 in total to take into account her guilty pleas and the return of the money to Plaid Cymru.
Sentencing and Repayment
On the first charge, the court heard that on March 19 this year Hewer produced falsified paperwork to the party. Admitting this charge, she was fined £200, reduced from £300.
Hewer also admitted abusing her position as Plaid Cymru Caerphilly branch treasurer by moving party funds into her own bank account in eight instalments between February 24 and June 19, 2025, for which she was fined £200, discounted from £300 as the money had already been repaid by her.
Hewer was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £160 victim surcharge. No compensation order was made because the money she took had already been repaid in full, the court was told.
Party Response
A collection order was imposed for the total of £645, with Hewer directed to pay the amount owed in monthly instalments of £20 from November 26.
Responding to the conviction at Newport Magistrates' Court, a Plaid Cymru spokesperson said the forgery was uncovered through internal party checks. "This case relates to the treasurer of a small local branch of Plaid Cymru, not the national party," the party spokesperson said.
"The misuse of funds was identified through the party’s internal financial checks and balances and reported to the police by the local party. All misappropriated funds have since been recovered. Nicola Hewer is no longer a member or office holder of Plaid Cymru."
