Couple pocketed cash after duping baby- unit donors

A COUPLE who pocketed cash intended for a hospital baby unit have been ordered to pay compensation to the charity.

Julia Harriss, 32, and Daniel Harriss, 31, both of Butts Close, Somersham, Huntingdon, have pleaded guilty to theft at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The couple, who own a ghost tour company, sold £ 30tickets for a charity walk in August last year.

They claim edit was in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit at Hinching brooke Hospital.

Several walkers tried to reach the couple after the walk to see how much had been raised, but were unable to get hold of them and found the Facebook page deleted.

They contacted Hinching brooke Health Care Trust who confirmed no money had been paid to the charity and a police investigation was launched.

The couple admitted they had organised the event but had not paid any money to the charity.

Both were given 24- month conditional discharges and were each ordered to pay £ 85 costs and a £ 15 victim surcharge.

They were also ordered to pay £ 916 compensation to Hinching brooke Health Care Trust.

DC Suzanne Pickard said: “This was a deceitful and dishonest crime in which the Harrisses duped people into thinking they were donating to charity.

“I’m glad the hospital has been given some compensation and I hope it will deter people from seeking to profit by dis honestly claiming to be collecting for charity.”