GRENFELL LEECHES
Callous bogus fire victims blew £125k in top hotels
TWO illegal immigrants swindled £125,000 by claiming they were Grenfell Tower blaze victims.
Elaine Douglas, 51, and Tommy Brooks, 52, said they lived in a 19th floor flat which did not exist.
They were granted pre-paid credit cards and free stays at the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel. Douglas racked up an accommodation bill of more than £55,000 from a fund for survivors.
She even complained about the quality of hotel food while running up a £267 bill on room service.
Yesterday the Jamaican nationals, who had been in Britain illegally for 16 years, admitted fraud by false representation and obtaining leave to remain in the UK by deception.
Benjamin Holt, prosecuting, told Isleworth Crown
Court: “Both said they were residing in flat 91 on the
19th floor – flat 91 is actually on the 18th floor.’’
Brooks claimed £58,396.89 and stayed in the Radisson
Blu and another hotel.
He spent more than £9,000 on pre-paid Mastercard and
Oyster cards.
The pair were remanded in custody until sentencing on June 13. Judge Robin Johnson warned them: “It seems to me that immediate prison or a substantial term is inevitable.”
Afterwards Det Supt Matt Bonner, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “The actions of those who exploited the tragedy for their own personal gain were truly appalling.”
Yesterday’s inquiry, chaired by Sir Martin MooreBick, had to be suspended for 20 minutes when a female relative collapsed during a video tribute to six members of the Choucair family who all perished in the fire.