Former Plaid Cymru community councillor admits fraud and forgery charges after pocketing party money

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A former community councillor, who served as a treasurer for a local Plaid Cymru branch, has admitted charges of forgery and fraud after transferring party funds into her own bank account.

Nicola Hewer, 39, of Central Street, Pwllypant, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Thursday October 29, where she was ordered to pay a total of £645 after previously admitting the charges.

While serving as treasurer for the Llanbradach Plaid branch, Hewer moved money from the party’s accounts into her own account in eight transactions between February 2025 and June 2025.

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She also admitted making a false document, in March this year, with the intention of it being accepted as genuine.

Her deception was discovered during a routine audit of accounts. Party officials then reported her to the police.

Hewer had been a member of Llanbradach and Pwll y pant Community Council since May 2023 and according to council documents, officially resigned as a community councillor in late September/early October of this year.

She was fined £200 for fraud and £200 for forgery by Newport Magistrates’ Court, and was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs, and a further £160 victim surcharge – which goes towards the funding of victim services.

She will pay the money in monthly instalments of £20, starting this month.

However, Hewer is not required to pay compensation as the money she took has already been repaid in full.

The fraud related to Plaid Cymru funds only and not any money related to Llanbradach and Pwll y Pant Community Council.

A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “This case relates to the treasurer of a small local branch of Plaid Cymru, not the national party.

“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.”

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