Woman jailed for fraud linked to equestrian Australia relief auction

The fraudster raised £34,000, supposedly for victims of the major bushfires, but spent most of it on herself

- ELEANOR JONES

A WOMAN who raised £34,000 in aid of victims of the Australian bushfires but spent most of 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).