Ex-Lloyds TSB manager on £1m theft charge

by Gill Montia

Story link: Ex-Lloyds TSB manager on £1m theft charge

An ex-manager of a London branch of Lloyds TSB is standing trial at the Old Bailey accused of having stolen close to £1 million from her employer.

Ania Wadsworth is alleged to have manipulated the accounts at the Golders Green branch between 2002 and 2007, to conceal a series of thefts amounting to £921,717.

According to reports, prosecutors claim Ms Wadsworth stole £25,000 bundles of notes destined for the ATM and moved deficits between different accounts to cover her tracks during audits.

The accused has confessed to taking the bulk of the money but only under duress from her boyfriend, a Mr Keith Preddie, who has denied accusations of money laundering.

Ms Wadsworth had been a high flyer at Lloyds TSB, beginning work at the Golders Green branch in 2000 and moving on to become operations manager within a year.

She was, apparently, a trusted and respected member of staff.