Carmarthenshire Charity Thief Wins Right To Appeal

A Carmarthenshire businessman jailed for his part in conning a charity for disabled children out of thousands of pounds has won the first stage of his battle to reduce his sentence.

Trevor England, of Maes y Wern, Glanaman, was sent down for six years for defrauding Catch (Care and Action Trust for Children with Handicaps).

England and his business partner Mary Johnson, aged 61, of Manchester Road, Rixton, Warrington, skimmed off up to £2,000 a week from money donated by the public.

She said she was shocked and saddened when she heard about the con.

England, senior administrator and founder of the charity, received a sentence of six years in prison, having pleaded guilty to cheating the revenue by claiming fraudulent gift aid repayments.

England, aged 60, also admitted one count of theft, having stolen substantial amounts of cash from the charity.

Yesterday, England and Johnson were given permission to appeal against their sentences by top judges sitting at London’s Criminal Appeal Court.

Mr Justice Butterfield, sitting with Mrs Justice Dobbs, said it was a “deeply disturbing fraud”.

Despite opening the way for a full appeal, he warned: “They should understand there is no indication herein that their appeals will be successful, but there are at least arguable grounds there should be some reduction.”