Cancer con woman avoids jail for fraud

A mother who pretended she had terminal cancer in order to con her Black Country neighbour and friend of 20 years out of £1,000 has avoided an immediate jail term.

Amanda Browning lied to 62-year-old Janice Knott, whose own mother died of cancer, to persuade her to hand over cash to help her pay her rent.

Browning was yesterday given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. She was ordered to pay the £1,000 back to Mrs Knott in compensation and pay the prosecution costs of £85.

She was given 80 hours unpaid work and placed on supervision for 12 months. The bench made a collection order for Browning's payments.

Warley Magistrates Court yesterday heard Mrs Knott became suspicious when she saw Browning's health was not deteriorating.

Miss Maxine Jarrousse, prosecuting, said single mother Browning had become friends with Mrs Knott, attending the same community events and their children had gone to the same school.

On January 17, the defendant attended Mrs Knott's home and said she was suffering with liver and kidney cancer and had between six and 12 months to live.

She said she needed £1,000 to pay off the deeds to her house in Ashes Road, Oldbury. Two days later Browning, aged 47, went with Mrs Knott to the building society so she could withdraw the sum.

The pair were in regular contact until April but the victim began to get suspicious when stock controller Browning failed to return calls.

Miss Jarrousse added: "Mrs Knott said she appeared well, continued to drive her car and had a new tattoo done."

Mrs Knott, whose two parents had died in 2008, including her mother of cancer, called the police after finding out the house Browning lived in was rented and not privately owned.

Browning admitted one count of fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing. The court also heard how Browning was more than £8,000 in debt.