A woman who raised £34,000 supposedly for victims of the Australian bushfires but spent it on clothes and beauty treatments in an “appalling case of fraud” has been sent to prison.
Kerry Palin, 27, gave $5 AUD (£2.50) to four charities then spent the rest on herself. Palin, of Pemberton Street, Rushden, Northamptonshire, later pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, concealing criminal property and acquiring criminal property. She was sentenced to one year and four months in prison at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (11 August).
“Palin was living in Peterborough in January 2020 when she decided to set up an equestrian-themed online auction on Facebook to help raise money for wildlife victims of the bushfires,” a spokesman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said. “The page had 7,000 members and more than 300 people donated goods to sell.
“People began bidding for the items and paid the money directly to Palin via her bank or PayPal accounts. They did so in good faith, believing the funds would be distributed to charities helping animals and wildlife victims of the fires.”
Palin donated the five dollars each to the four charities and sent “doctored screenshots of the receipts to make it look as though more money had been paid”, police said. “When donors raised their concerns, Palin would block them so they were unable to contact her.”
The spokesman said that after pressure mounted from donors, and issues with Palin’s PayPal account owing to the high levels of funds being transferred, Palin contacted police herself. She “admitted to spending some of the money on luxury items, including a treadmill, hair extensions and a new rug”.
Her partner David Collins, 39, pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property, after parcels at their home were found in his name. He was given a conditional discharge.
PC Sam Dane, who investigated, said: “This was an appalling case of fraud where Palin not only deceived generous, kind-natured individuals, but deprived the wildlife victims of the wildfires of thousands of pounds in donations, which would have made a huge difference to their lives.
“Instead of helping the desperate victims of these horrific events, the money was spent on frivolous and unnecessary luxuries.
“I hope this goes to show how seriously we take these offences and I am glad justice has been done.
“I would urge anyone wanting to donate money to good causes to be vigilant and, if in doubt, consider giving directly to the charity itself.”
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