by Joe Jeffrey
Criminal con woman given 100 community service for duping caravanners out of thousands
A 24-year-old woman from Wiltshire has been given a 40-week prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to three counts of fraud in which she duped people into paying money for caravan holidays that did not exist.
Carpenter pleaded guilty at Chippenham Magistrates Court to a series of frauds involving coercing people into paying money for a caravan holiday rental which did not exist, as well as fraudulently using a bank card and completing credit applications.
Carpenter was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £5,235 in compensation to her 23 victims.
DC Melissa Carr, from Wiltshire Police, said: “Carpenter took advantage of innocent members of the public who were simply trying to book a holiday.
“On numerous occasions she persuaded people to transfer hundreds of pounds to her on the promise of securing a booking for a caravan holiday, which did not exist.
“We would like to use this opportunity to encourage people to be cautious when booking holidays online and always use a reputable agency or website to reduce the chance of fraud.”
With an influx of UK holidaymakers planning their summer holidays around this time, it certainly pays to ensure you book through a reputable booking agency of holiday park; and remember, if a deal looks too good to be true it usually is. What do you think of sentence handed out by the judge? Let us know in the comments below.
