Journalist Hayley Matthews confessed that her mother, who has dementia, stole £120,000 from her bank accounts.

Journalist and former BBC presenter Hayley Matthews confessed to stealing £120,000 from her mother's bank accounts. The 44-year-old presenter lived a luxurious life with the stolen money between 2019 and 2022.

The incident came to light when family members became suspicious about the inheritance after Matthews' mother's death in 2021. Matthews admitted her guilt in court on June 27 and was sentenced to prison on July 25.

Prosecutor Lynne Barrie stated that Matthews had abused her responsibility for managing her mother's financial affairs. Matthews had previously told her family that her mother's inheritance was worth much less than its actual value.

The family examined bank statements upon their suspicions and uncovered excessive spending. Matthews' sister reported the situation to the police.

Matthews' expenses were revealed in court: thousands of pounds in PayPal transactions, cash withdrawals, luxury store purchases, and expensive meal orders.

In January 2022, Matthews confronted her father and admitted her guilt, stating in messages, "I was terrified to use my mother's money."

This incident highlights the seriousness and consequences of financial abuse against vulnerable individuals.