A WOMAN went around collecting sponsorship money claiming that she was doing a sponsored walk for Cancer Research – but it was all a scam.

She later returned to a pub and a shop and claimed she had done the walk.

The money was handed over but she kept it herself, Flintshire Magistrates court at Mold was told.

Kayleigh Marie Jones, 23, of Maes yr Odyn in Holywell, admitted a fraud charge.

Deputy District Judge Chris Johnson told her: “The harm in theory is the £7 sponsorship money you received, but the real harm is greater than that.

“People give freely to charity and expect that money to go to charity.

“If they start to think whether they should give, or whether they can rely on the fact that the money actually goes to charity, then charities are going to lose out.”

Jones was placed on a 12 month community order under which she will be supervised by the probation service.

She was also sent on “thinking skills” and “future skills” courses run by the probation service.  Jones must pay £85 prosecution costs and £7 compensation.

The court heard how Jones went into the Superdrug store in Holywell High Street and told staff that she was doing a charity walk for cancer research.

Two members of staff sponsored her to the tune of 50p each.

She also went to the Cross Foxes public house where she raised £6 in sponsorship money.

Gary Harvey, defending, said Jones had been very concerned she could end up in custody.

She was already on a community order for an earlier fraud.

Hughes was clearly vulnerable and did realise what she had done was wrong, he said.