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Couple treated Cardiff's top sixth form college as 'personal piggy bank' and stole £5m in parents' fees, court hears

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026.

Yasmin Sarwar, who denies nine theft and fraud charges totalling more than £5m, allegedly helped raid the Cardiff Sixth Form College charity she co-founded to fund a lavish lifestyle.
Yasmin Sarwar, who denies nine theft and fraud charges totalling more than £5m, allegedly helped raid the Cardiff Sixth Form College charity she co-founded to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Self-styled 'Tiger Mum' Yasmin Sarwar, 48, and husband Nadeem, 50, founded Cardiff Sixth Form College as a charity before allegedly raiding its accounts to fund a lavish lifestyle of properties and luxury. Nadeem has admitted stealing £5m between 2008 and 2016, while Yasmin denies nine theft and fraud charges totalling more than £5m. The trial is being heard at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.

Prosecutor Mark Cotter KC told jurors the assault on school accounts was 'so relentless and widespread' it left the college's accountant unable to produce audited records.

The couple then hired Ragu Sivapalan, 41, as a 'new, less rigorous accountant' who took their word at face value and reported false information, the court heard.

Yasmin Sarwar began as an A-level tutor before building Cardiff Sixth Form College into an internationally recognised institution — then allegedly plundering it for personal gain.

MoreThe TelegraphHusband and wife ‘stole £5m in fees paid to leading sixth form college’The SunCouple stole £5m of parents’ school fees from top private school and used it as their own ‘piggy bank’, court hearsYahooHusband and wife ‘stole £5m from leading sixth form college’ - YahooBBC News - WalesFounders of elite college used £5m funds as 'personal piggy bank', court hears
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