Shamed fraudster left victims in tears (From Thisisdorset)

Shamed fraudster left victims in tears

9:27am Thursday 9th July 2009

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BABY-FACED fraudster Kieren Gavin Bonner claimed to be collecting money for a charity supporting sick children but actually pocketed the cash himself.

Bonner, aged 23, knocked on doors in Weymouth with a 15-year-old accomplice and told people he was going to do a sponsored run in aid of CLIC Sargent, which supports young people with cancer.

To back up the claim they produced a sponsorship form with a CLIC logo which had been downloaded from the internet.

Some of the people who handed over money were so upset when they heard it was a scam they were in tears, a court heard.

Bonner visited some addresses with a boy aged 15, who cannot be named because of his age.

The boy told police he was made to go along with the scam but Bonner denied involvement even when he was presented with ‘overwhelming evidence.’ A court heard the pair collected a total of £169 on behalf of the charity but police believe they could have pocketed more.

Bonner, of Carlton Road South, Weymouth, pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by dishonestly making a false representation and asked for 26 similar offences to be taken into consideration when he appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court.

Bonner also admitted a separate offence of stealing an electric toothbrush from Wilkinsons.

He will be sentenced on July 28.

The 15-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by dishonestly making a false representation and asked for 15 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

After he admitted the offences in the magistrates court his case was referred to the youth court. He will be sentenced on August 5.

Lisa Dytham, prosecuting in the magistrates court, said in April this year police were made aware of a scam involving young people in Weymouth, mainly focused on Brunswick Terrace, who were collecting sponsorship for a 10km run in aid of CLIC.

Bonner was suspected and subsequently arrested but denied involvement, saying he didn’t need any money because he was due a large amount.

Mrs Dytham said the Dorset Echo later printed an article warning the community about a scam. As a result, police were able to obtain CCTV footage from a property which showed Bonner and a female.

The female told police she assumed Bonner was collecting for charity and went with him but Bonner again denied he was involved in a scam.

“Despite overwhelming evidence from the CCTV and statements, Kieren Bonner said they were bare-faced lies,” Mrs Dytham said.

She added that Bonner later admitted his role as a police investigation revealed he had used internet cafes to download the CLIC logo. He had disposed of the sponsorship forms down drains, Mrs Dytham said.

She added: “The age of the victims vary, the eldest being 84.

“Some of the victims who willingly gave money cried when they were told what had happened.”

Holly Huxtable, defending Bonner, said he had been released from custody shortly before the offences and had nowhere to live and no money.

She added: “There’s no reason why he picked CLIC. It came into his mind first; it was a way of getting easy money at the time.

“He’s considered the impact it has had including on the charity itself and its credibility in the eyes of the public.”

Miss Huxtable said after the last offence Bonner began working with an IT software company but this employment had come to an end. He has since made inquiries about joining the Army.

“He realises it’s a way of moving away from his current lifestyle and ensuring his future is brighter,” Miss Huxtable added.

Elizabeth Valera, prosecuting in the Youth Court, said the 15-year-old boy admitted involvement when first interviewed and said it was Bonner’s idea which he went along with. When interviewed later he admitted further offences he had ‘forgotten’ about when first questioned. The boy wrote a letter to the court which said: “At the time I didn’t know what CLIC Sargent was about. I feel really bad and tried walking away from Bonner but he begged me to come back. I’m really sorry.”

Ian Brazier, defending, asked for a report to be written by the Youth Offending Team before sentencing

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