£85,000 Fraud uncovered in joint Council and Police investigation

Hyacinth Blair, of Lewisham, took nearly £85,000 in cash over 18 months. In January 2023, the Council raised concerns about suspected misuse of a Council-issued prepayment card. The card, intended for legitimate operational expenses such as court fees, had been under the management of Ms. Blair, a now former employee of the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust, who was working in partnership with the Council.

An internal investigation revealed that Ms. Blair fraudulently withdrew a total of £83,990 in cash from various ATMs. She had made multiple unauthorised top-up requests to the prepayment card and subsequently used the funds for personal gain. 

The case was referred to Lewisham Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, and Ms. Blair was arrested and interviewed, and later charged with Fraud by Abuse of Position. 

In May 2025, Ms. Blair appeared before Bromley Magistrates’ Court and entered a guilty plea. Due to the seriousness of the offence, the case was escalated to the Old Bailey for sentencing. The court heard Ms. Blair felt coerced into sending the money to her online boyfriend. On 7 August 2025, Ms. Blair, was handed down a two-year jail sentence - but this sentence was fully suspended. She is required to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation and a six-month mental health treatment. The 
Council will be taking action to recover the stolen funds. 

A Council spokesperson said, “We take fraud and financial misconduct extremely seriously. No matter what the circumstances, there is no excuse for a fraud of this scale and we will always prosecute those who steal from the public purse.” 

Lewisham Council continues to work closely with its partners to ensure robust financial controls are in place and that any misuse of public resources is swiftly addressed.  

Fraud can be reported by email, reportfraud@lewisham.gov.uk or telephone the fraud hotline on 0800 085 0119.