A Bridgend estate agent who faked her own wedding to scam friends and family has been fined for breaching the terms of a suspended sentence.
Charlotte Blackwell, 31, had previously admitted defrauding relatives and friends out of more than £12,000, using fabricated travel and hotel documents to claim she needed money for a wedding abroad.
Cardiff Crown Court heard this week that Blackwell had failed to complete the community service element of her sentence, having finished less than half of the 120 hours of unpaid work ordered.
Her barrister told the court she felt deep remorse and was making efforts to repay the victims.
Blackwell had claimed she needed funds to cover costs for her wedding to long-term partner Daniel Thomas. To support the deception, she created fake flight confirmations and hotel bookings.
But she was back in court after breaching the terms of the suspended jail sentence for that fraud.
She had completed just over 55 of 120 hours of unpaid work ordered. She had attended 21 out of 34 appointments, with “unacceptable absences” putting her in breach.
Blackwell was fined £50 and told to pay £150 in costs.
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’re fully capable of doing it I have no doubt,” he added.
In other words, she got off. Surely the suspended sentence should have been activated? Who paid for her BARRISTER? They are not cheap!
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