A PONTYPOOL piano teacher must pay £1,170 back to her former pupils after falsely telling them she was authorised to conduct exams on behalf of the London College of Music.

Ceri Nash, 31, of Hynam Place, Garndiffaith, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court after admitting nine counts of fraud by false representation and three counts of making false examination certificates for use in the fraud.

The offences took place between January 2007 and May 2010 when Nash instructed pupils on the piano, telling them that she was authorised to conduct examinations on behalf of the London College of Music, which would lead to valid qualifications.

However, prosecutor Catherine Yardley told the court this was not the case and instead Nash intended to make a gain for herself.

On three occasions, Nash also made exam certificates in the names of pupils that were designed or adapted to look as if they were used in London College of Music courses.

Some pupils were deceived over a threeyear period and Ms Yardley said that none of the 11 complainants were sure how much money Nash had taken from them.

Christine Lloyd believes she sat three exams costing £17 each time, Lisa Tudor sat a grade five exam that cost £71, Grace Davies paid around £95 to sit five exams, while Richard Oelmann paid around £120 for four examinations.

Other victims include Julie Jones who paid £165 for three exams, Amanda Reed who Nash charged £182 for five exams, Jayne Fellowes who paid £40 and Abigale Sims who paid £26.

Defence barrister Huw Williams said Nash believed some of the exams were genuine.

District Judge Richard Williams said: “It was a sustained deception, where you misled people over a long period.

“Maybe you backed yourself into a corner that you then found it difficult to get out of.”

The district judge had no victim impact statements, so said he could not make comment on the emotional impact on the piano students.

He ordered Nash to pay a combined £1,170 compensation to her victims, a £250 fine, £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.