Fraudster's victims still waiting for their money

THE victims of a fraudster say they have received just £100 of the £13,750 she was ordered to pay them seven months ago.

- CONOR GOGARTY

> Fraudster Charlotte Blackwell

Charlotte Blackwell, from Bridgend, narrowly avoided jail after she defrauded her then-fiancé's mother and family friends and they have accused her of flouting the orders.

The 31-year-old previously spared prison for fraud against a children's cancer charity invented fake wedding plans in a scheme to pay off her debts. Between 2022 and 2024 she took £12,682 from members of the wedding party under the pretence of a ceremony in Turkey.

The four victims were her then-fiancé's mother Paula Thomas, who paid £3,296, and three of Ms Thomas' friends Helen Morse, who paid £3,311, Sue Chapman, who paid £3,272, and Tracey Roberts, who paid £2,803.

In March, Blackwell was handed a suspended jail term, unpaid work, and an order to pay £3,500 in compensation to each of Ms Thomas, Ms Chapman and Ms Morse, and £3,250 to Ms Roberts.

Blackwell promised the judge she would pay £400 a month. But the victims say they have since received just £25.45 each, in early July.

Blackwell was back in Cardiff Crown Court last week, landing financial penalties of £200 after failing to turn up for many of her unpaid work appointments.