A former bank worker has received a 12 month suspended sentence for pretending to have cervical cancer in a bid to fleece generous donators of more than £6,000 to pay for 'treatment'.
Danielle Watson, 24, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court yesterday (Friday, January 9) after admitting six counts of fraud by false representation.
She admitted all charges at the start of her trial in October 2014.
During the trial jurors had heard she intended to pocket the cash to pay for a dream wedding.
The court heard she also accepted donations from bridal suppliers for a wedding after claiming she didn't have long to live.
A charity fund was also started in her name after she told staff at a bridal shop that failing health had caused her to bring her wedding forward.
Donated items for her dream wedding in April 2012 included a free wedding dress, wedding planning services, hair styling, 10 bottles of champagne and a heavily discounted reception venue.
Watson, from Colchester, was arrested in July 2012 and later charged with six counts of fraud by false representation.
Speaking after the sentence, Investigating Officer Dc Rob Lewis said: "We would like to thank the large number of witnesses and victims for their patience and support throughout the investigation.
"Danielle Watson acted in a cold and calculated manner, she be-friended and abused the trust of kind and generous people who wanted to help a person they thought was dying.
"She obtained significant financial gain, gifts and services from the kind hearted.
"At no stage in the investigation did she demonstrate any form of remorse or shoulder responsibility for her conduct."
He added: "Albeit the victims are disappointed with the sentence received by Mrs Watson, justice has today been served.
"We hope that this will deter others from committing rare crimes of this nature, which have such as devastating impact on the victims. And sadly have an adverse effect on the good work of charities.
"We would like to reassure the public that Essex Police will take positive action to bring offenders to justice."
