Comic Relief fraudster spared jail
A fraudster who dressed up as a schoolgirl and duped people out of more than £500 in a bogus charity collection in the West Midlands has been spared a stint behind bars.
A fraudster who dressed up as a schoolgirl and duped people out of more than £500 in a bogus charity collection in the West Midlands has been spared a stint behind bars.
Sharon Deen, of Southbank Road, Cradley, claimed to be collecting for Comic Relief.
The 27-year-old and two teenagers, also dressed as schoolgirls, tricked people into donating cash at the junction of Newton Road and Queslett Road, Great Barr, on March 13.
All three were arrested on suspicion of deception when they were spotted on the road by police officers.
West Midlands Police has now passed on the £514.39 to Comic Relief.
Pc Steve Jeavons, from West Bromwich Road Policing Unit, said: "We are delighted that all the money which was donated in good faith by local people will finally be sent its rightful owner, Comic Relief.
"This kind of despicable offence is taken very seriously by West Midlands Police and we are pleased by the outcome of the case against those involved.
"Thankfully, this kind of crime is rare and should not weaken people's generous spirit when they come across genuine charity collectors."
Deen, the 16-year-old and the 15-year-old were all given cautions after their arrests in March.
However, Deen failed to comply with the conditions of her caution and was later arrested again and charged with attempting to commit fraud by false representation. She pleaded guilty to the charge on September 8.
At West Bromwich Magistrates Court on Monday, she was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs.
Meanwhile, alleged fraudsters dressed as superheroes were arrested in Wolverhampton on Monday after suspicions were raised they were not genuine.
Dressed as Darth Vader, Spiderman and Batman, they were said to have taken £120 off people after claiming to be raising cash for Children In Need.
Scott Smith, aged 18, and 29-year-old Ty Mills, both of Prestwood Road West, Wednesfield, admitted making a false representation when they appeared at the city's magistrates court on Tuesday.
Co-accused Peter Atack, 53, of no fixed address, and Kelly Hallard, 22, of Blackhalve Lane, Wednesfield, both denied allegations of making false representations.
All four were bailed to appear again in court on December 14.
The region has been hit by a spate of charity thefts recently.
Last month, 300 bags of goods donated to a charity for sick youngsters were stolen in in the Stechford area of Birmingham.
A bogus collector stole the bags that were destined for Acorns Children's Hospice, which has a unit in Walsall.
A similar theft also took place in Quinton in September.
