Serial fraudster who lied to children's charity back in court

A BOGUS bride-to-be who failed to turn up for her own wedding has now been fined for dodging her community service punishment.

- WALES NEWS SERVICE

Estate agent Charlotte Blackwell, 31, faked her wedding abroad to con cash from family and friends and used it to pay off her online bingo debts.

A serial fraudster, Blackwell - who had previously scammed a children’s cancer charity - got engaged to partner Daniel Thomas following a five-year relationship. Blackwell then told relatives she needed money for their wedding abroad.

A court heard she created fake flight documents and hotel bookings so unsuspecting guests would hand over £12,682. She was handed a suspended sentence for her crimes along with 120 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation requirement.

But a court heard the shameless fraud also failed to turn up for many of her community service orders.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Blackwell had attended 21 out of 34 appointments, but failed to comply with the conditions of two of those.

She had eight “acceptable” absences from the unpaid work meetings but three “unacceptable” absences putting her in breach of her order.

Out of the 120 hours she was told to carry out, Blackwell had managed to complete just over half of them - with 55 hours and 25 minutes still outstanding.

Blackwell was subsequently fined £50 and ordered to pay £150 costs for the breaches and ordered to comply.

Judge Eugene Egan told her: “Please don’t come back again Ms Blackwell. No-one wants to see you fail on this order - least of all you. The ball is in your court. Please make sure you complete this order, you are fully capable of doing it, I have no doubt.