Gang staged fake collections round pubs for Marie Curie cancer charity

9:12am Saturday 23rd February 2013 in News

Kim Chapman, Susan Christians and Benjamin Chapman outside Southampton Crown Court. Kim Chapman, Susan Christians and Benjamin Chapman outside Southampton Crown Court.

FOR three years they duped people into believing they were donating to charity.

The Southampton-based gang would take collecting tins around pubs across the south claiming they were raising money for the well-respected Marie Curie Cancer Care.

But in reality they kept the money handed over by kind-hearted drinkers who had no idea it was a scam.

When police caught up with them, one of the gang even confessed they were the “most evil bastards going”.

It will never be known exactly how much the gang got away with during the long-running fraud.

Southampton Crown Court heard how they used collecting tins covered with the Marie Curie name and logo, which they had no authorisation to use.

Now five people are awaiting sentence on April 5 for their roles in the scam.

Four were found guilty by jurors while one admitted charges before the trial.

Jurors heard Gordon Coe was the ringleader, Susan Christians and Pauline Hunt acted as collectors and Ben Chapman was the driver.

Chapman’s wife Kim also accompanied her husband on collecting expeditions, helped count the money and stored the Marie Curie paraphernalia.

Prosecutor Nicholas Tucker told the court the fraud began after Coe had been accepted as a volunteer for the charity and received tins, a paying-in book, T-shirts, an ID badge and a receipt book on the understanding he would collect in the Southampton area.

If he ever left a tin a pub, he was supposed to provide the organisation with written proof.

He introduced Hunt and Christians to the organisation but they collected money in their name without authorisation.

Christians confided in a friend how she collected for the charity twice a week and she “skimmed” the tins, keeping some for herself and splitting proceeds with Coe.

 Mr Tucker said in raids, police found forged tin labels, letters and ID badges at the homes of the Chapmans and Hunt. They also seized bags of coins from the Chapmans’ home and at the Christians’ address.

The court heard a police interview with Christians in which she admitted she had shared proceeds with others.

She said: “I know it’s a nasty thing to do but I’ve done it, I’ve got to live with it.”

But she said she wasn’t going to “take the rap” for others. She knew the money wasn’t going to the charity and used what she took to live on.

Mr Tucker told the court: “With remarkable frankness, she said ‘We are the most evil bastards going.’ What they had been doing was ‘totally wrong’ and she had felt guilty because pub landlords had been ‘absolutely fantastic’.”

After the case, Detective Constable Giulio Pizzo, who led the 18-month investigation, said: “It is truly unfortunate this sort of crime not only deprives genuine charities of much needed funds but generates mistrust among the public towards real charity collectors.”

A spokesman for Marie Curie Cancer Care said: “We would like to reassure people this type of incident is very rare and we shouldn’t let one bad apple give legitimate charity collectors a bad name.

"The vast majority of collectors are trustworthy and dedicated and, as a charity, we couldn’t raise the vital funds.”

THE DEFENDANTS:

  • Ringleader Gordon Coe, 65, of Mansel

Road East, Southampton, pleaded guilty

at an earlier hearing to conspiracy to
defraud and concealing financial
transactions.


The other defendants had denied all
charges against them.

  •  Benjamin Chapman (below), 43, of Pennine

Road, Southampton, was convicted of
conspiracy to defraud.

 

  • His wife, Kim, (below) of the same address,

was convicted of conspiracy to defraud
and converting criminal property by
keeping the donated cash for her own
personal use.

 

  • Susan Christians (below), 64, of Drapers

Copse, Dibden, was convicted of the
conspiracy and converting criminal
property charges.

 

  • Pauline Hunt (below), 55, of Clover Nook,

Southampton, was convicted of the
converting the criminal property count.
Jurors were unable to reach a verdict
against her on the conspiracy charge but
it is unlikely she will face a re-trial.

 

  • Hunt’s husband, Raymond, 56, was

acquitted of conspiracy to defraud and
concealing financial transactions.

 

Comments(62)

VictoriaParks says...
10:10am Sat 23 Feb 13

Ironically this lot will probably need the help of the Marie Curie nurses judging by their pictures! Scum of the earth.

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arthur dalyrimple says...
10:14am Sat 23 Feb 13

these low lfes were made for the birch , bring it back.

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massimoosti says...
10:21am Sat 23 Feb 13

Address' Echo - Many thanks


As they arent held lets hope they get lots of visitors

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SOULJACKER says...
10:25am Sat 23 Feb 13

hahahaha, look at them, it's like the Adams family on crack & what the hell is going on with that woman's crazy a$$ hair.

Look at Phil Mitchell there, does he think they he is a gangster 'innit' or something BRUV!

And don't get me started on the old Granny with her sticks & those crazy eyes....WTF?.....thr
ow these scum bags in jail & do us all a favor.

Just saying.... :)

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SOULJACKER says...
10:26am Sat 23 Feb 13

massimoosti wrote:
Address' Echo - Many thanks


As they arent held lets hope they get lots of visitors
Egg raid me thinks :)

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MegGriffin says...
10:45am Sat 23 Feb 13

Kim looks very pleased with herself. She always was a nasty cow.

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izzybiza says...
10:57am Sat 23 Feb 13

They are an arrogant bunch who thought they were untouchable by the police and caused misery to many people while living the good life themselves.

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cantthinkofone says...
10:58am Sat 23 Feb 13

They should be sent back to where they came from.

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SOULJACKER says...
11:06am Sat 23 Feb 13

MegGriffin wrote:
Kim looks very pleased with herself. She always was a nasty cow.
You gotta laugh at her stupid hair, lol

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chrisja says...
11:29am Sat 23 Feb 13

Keeping the tobacco industry in business since 1976...

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massimoosti says...
11:29am Sat 23 Feb 13

SOULJACKER wrote:
massimoosti wrote:
Address' Echo - Many thanks


As they arent held lets hope they get lots of visitors
Egg raid me thinks :)
I was hoping for a follow up story involving broken knees and hands

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bazzeroz says...
11:47am Sat 23 Feb 13

Smokers - Cancer - Result - end of!

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izzybiza says...
12:03pm Sat 23 Feb 13

How I agree with MegGriffins comment Kim is a lot more than just nasty there are no words bad enough to describe her.

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SOULJACKER says...
12:18pm Sat 23 Feb 13

massimoosti wrote:
SOULJACKER wrote:
massimoosti wrote:
Address' Echo - Many thanks


As they arent held lets hope they get lots of visitors
Egg raid me thinks :)
I was hoping for a follow up story involving broken knees and hands
lol, They look like they are off Eastenders or something, she will probably be running the Queen Vic next as Shirley's twin sister.

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THEKILLER says...
12:45pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Jail - unlikely
Cancer- properly !!
They can always pay the fines they are likely to get out of their benefits.
No point in giving them community service as they will just claim too unfit to do it !

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THEKILLER says...
12:50pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Pauline Hunt 55 !!!!
must be a mistake looks 75

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mickey01 says...
12:52pm Sat 23 Feb 13

what a minging lot . she looks really upset

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Lockssmart says...
1:12pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Take a good look. You're paying for them.

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cantthinkofone says...
1:48pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Why are so many of these vile criminals white? It seems a bit too much to be a coincidence.

The police can only do so much, the white community has to start taking responsibility for itself and deal with filth like this. Otherwise the police will have no choice but to crack down on them hard.

I'm sure they'd bleat about their 'human rights', but what about everyone else's rights?!?

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izzybiza says...
2:55pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Can't really understand the last comment above.

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IMAGOODGUY says...
3:14pm Sat 23 Feb 13

i agree with izzybiza,maybe cantthinkofone is reading a differant headline me thinks,confused.com

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cantthinkofone says...
3:19pm Sat 23 Feb 13

*whoosh*

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MGRA says...
3:25pm Sat 23 Feb 13

jail..... serengetti-hair will be laughing on other side of her wound when some big dyk3 whose relative sadly passed from cancer inserts something not suitable for insertion... here's hoping anyway....

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Peed orf big time says...
3:35pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Pauline Hunt (I would drop the H off her surname and replace it with a C!!!) would come into the pub. She knew my partner was terminally ill and that I was the only earner in the family. Being a cancer charity I gladly gave the money to her. May she and the others rot in hell!!!

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izzybiza says...
3:41pm Sat 23 Feb 13

good on you mgra lets keep hoping

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izzybiza says...
3:45pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Peed I really feel for you the nasty bastards

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Peed orf big time says...
3:57pm Sat 23 Feb 13

izzybiza wrote:
Peed I really feel for you the nasty bastards
What makes me laugh Izzy is that the delightful Pauline didn't need crutches when she was carrying the charity tin!! She obviously used them for effect at court

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izzybiza says...
4:42pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Pretty much the same with the Christians woman only disabled when they need to be but capable of anything when they are interested in what they want to do.Good luck to you my friend god pays debts without money so one day who knows when they will need help.

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Peed orf big time says...
5:02pm Sat 23 Feb 13

izzybiza wrote:
Pretty much the same with the Christians woman only disabled when they need to be but capable of anything when they are interested in what they want to do.Good luck to you my friend god pays debts without money so one day who knows when they will need help.
Well I'm wishing they all get cancer - I've never wished that upon anyone. If they do, I hope Marie Curie sticks their two fingers up at them!! Thank you for the support Izzy. God does pay back in many ways - let's hope it's not too long before these evil people get they're comeuppance

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Peed orf big time says...
5:06pm Sat 23 Feb 13

*their* please excuse the grammar

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Peed orf big time says...
5:06pm Sat 23 Feb 13

*their* please excuse the grammar

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SOULJACKER says...
5:09pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Holy cr@p these people are soooooo freakin' ugly....

Please...lets empty the gene pool now.....problem solved!

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Outside of the Box says...
5:36pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Ugly aint the word I'd use for them, vile pieces of sh1t, spent the money on 3 holidays a year, (whilst claiming benefit) The hag Kim Chapman has already been done for benefit fraud, I hope the Judge gives them a holiday courtesy of Her Majesty.

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Mr-La-De-Da-Gunner-Graham says...
6:00pm Sat 23 Feb 13

MegGriffin wrote:
Kim looks very pleased with herself. She always was a nasty cow.
Phwwwoaaaar!! She looks well UP4IT!

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MegGriffin says...
6:06pm Sat 23 Feb 13

izzybiza wrote:
How I agree with MegGriffins comment Kim is a lot more than just nasty there are no words bad enough to describe her.
We don't really need to find any do we. By being all smug and proud and posing for the camera after what she's been up to, she just about sums herself up.

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arthur dalyrimple says...
6:34pm Sat 23 Feb 13

the country has too many nonce cases like that shower.

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Rockhopper says...
6:39pm Sat 23 Feb 13

What a disgusting group of people.
Hope the sentences will be as severe as possible and get these vile low lifes off the streets.
Should they possess any capital/income
I hope a financial compensation order can be made to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

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SPIKEISLANDTRADER says...
7:00pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Justice will be their COFFIN NAIL addiction , hopefully a long pain full sentence . Could not happen to a nicer group ,

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kingnotail says...
8:26pm Sat 23 Feb 13

Who could be so stupid as to give money to one of these inbred monsters? If you want to give money to charity, go to the charity directly, never give it to people who come asking.

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kingnotail says...
8:28pm Sat 23 Feb 13

izzybiza wrote:
Can't really understand the last comment above.
It's satire darling, though I suppose this is above the intellect of most Southampton residents.

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Pikey-Biker says...
8:41pm Sat 23 Feb 13

kingnotail wrote:
izzybiza wrote: Can't really understand the last comment above.
It's satire darling, though I suppose this is above the intellect of most Southampton residents.
change the record please

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sparkster says...
8:49pm Sat 23 Feb 13

scum, i hope if they get ill and there's a charity for them it gets pinched, scumbags

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taxi driver in southampton says...
10:15pm Sat 23 Feb 13

WOW I have just read this story and was completely shocked to see the pictures at the bottom of the story... I used to work with Raymond Hunt and could never imagine him ever doing something like this,

Just goes to show that you really don't know the people you work with...

I'm shocked and disgusted.....

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thinklikealocal says...
10:31pm Sat 23 Feb 13

kingnotail wrote:
izzybiza wrote: Can't really understand the last comment above.
It's satire darling, though I suppose this is above the intellect of most Southampton residents.
I suggest YOU reread the post, it's the use of the word 'white' that doesn't make sense - darling......

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sabre2th1 says...
10:50pm Sat 23 Feb 13

thinklikealocal wrote:
kingnotail wrote:
izzybiza wrote: Can't really understand the last comment above.
It's satire darling, though I suppose this is above the intellect of most Southampton residents.
I suggest YOU reread the post, it's the use of the word 'white' that doesn't make sense - darling......
Hes bringing to attention the attitudes some people have towards non white people such as brown or black people, whenever there is a (negative) news story about them and thus making a comment on some of us in society forcing us to the allusion that we have double standards. When we take into account that the majority of offenders in this country are infact white it puts his comment into context.

Also, I think the scums should be buried alive under a pond (millers pond me thinks?) . =)

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izzybiza says...
10:21am Sun 24 Feb 13

No need to bring race into this, these are white scum as all comments show .You obviously have a different axe to grind and it is not for this news story.

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Silversha-ha-ha-ha-dow says...
10:23am Sun 24 Feb 13

As a son whose Mother has this awful disease I am absolutely incensed. We try to raise money and awareness and hope that no one else has to suffer from going through the pain we are going through. You fcukwits are lowlife scum. One hour in a room, that's all I'll need.

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alan.of.eastleigh says...
10:53am Sun 24 Feb 13

What a sad world we live in. What they did was awful and our thanks should go to the police for their perseverance in bringing them to justice. Our justice system will ensure they pay for the crimes. Wishing a life threatening disease on them does nothing more than lower us to their level. Surely the vast majority of the population are better than that?

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bethkt says...
11:00am Sun 24 Feb 13

Lets hope none of those people discover they have cancer or a close relative and they then need to rely on cancer charity's for help, they look like they all need a good wash!!!!

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SaintsBTGOG says...
1:21pm Sun 24 Feb 13

I've read that this Pauline Hunt scumbag has been seen going in pubs before and after Saints home matches. Using a childrens charity as far back as 2006.

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shirley whirley says...
4:24pm Sun 24 Feb 13

Ironic that they have cancer as thier chosen charity with those cigarettes hanging out of thier mouths. I am also so pleased that they get enough benefits to be able to afford to smoke!!!!

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cantthinkofone says...
7:51pm Sun 24 Feb 13

sabre2th1 wrote:
thinklikealocal wrote:
kingnotail wrote:
izzybiza wrote: Can't really understand the last comment above.
It's satire darling, though I suppose this is above the intellect of most Southampton residents.
I suggest YOU reread the post, it's the use of the word 'white' that doesn't make sense - darling......
Hes bringing to attention the attitudes some people have towards non white people such as brown or black people, whenever there is a (negative) news story about them and thus making a comment on some of us in society forcing us to the allusion that we have double standards. When we take into account that the majority of offenders in this country are infact white it puts his comment into context.

Also, I think the scums should be buried alive under a pond (millers pond me thinks?) . =)
I was beginning to despair, but you and kingnotail have given me a glimmer of hope. :-D

I watched a trashy comedy called 'Idiocracy' last night. I think it may have been based on our fair city...

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ilogik_23 says...
10:22pm Sun 24 Feb 13

What a disgraceful looking bunch of people, 4 of the ugliest women I've ever seen and a pathetic Phil Mitchell wannabee. Some might say it's a bit harsh but I'd have this lot shipped off to another country to face the firing squad, despicable vile creatures who deserve a real bad hand in life now. This sort of thing makes my blood boil, thoughts go out to everyone who's been conned by them, Karma will come back round to get them back!

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WECOMING4U says...
9:40am Mon 25 Feb 13

I know many would not want them their but let them work under supervision on a children's cancer ward or a cancer hospice?
Terrible act of a human being!

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cantthinkofone says...
5:35pm Mon 25 Feb 13

WECOMING4U wrote:
I know many would not want them their but let them work under supervision on a children's cancer ward or a cancer hospice?
Terrible act of a human being!
Good idea, but I'd not want to let these people anywhere near vulnerable adults or children, however heavily supervised they were.

Some sort of restorative justice would be excellent though. Just not sure what would be appropriate.

Although from the look of that silly smirk it may not have any effect at all. Who know how deeply her conscience is buried.

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izzybiza says...
6:52pm Mon 25 Feb 13

cantthinkofone wrote:
WECOMING4U wrote:
I know many would not want them their but let them work under supervision on a children's cancer ward or a cancer hospice?
Terrible act of a human being!
Good idea, but I'd not want to let these people anywhere near vulnerable adults or children, however heavily supervised they were.

Some sort of restorative justice would be excellent though. Just not sure what would be appropriate.

Although from the look of that silly smirk it may not have any effect at all. Who know how deeply her conscience is buried.
From personal experience I know that none of them have any conscience at all in fact one was treated for bowel cancer and cured some years ago.

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Micle1974 says...
8:22pm Mon 25 Feb 13

keep their photos on your phone to keep their faces fresh in your mind, if you see them in the street say hello!

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-stiv- says...
10:37am Tue 26 Feb 13

We used to not let any collectors in our pub. Because of people like this.

It's a shame so many on here have missed the point and have chosen to focus on the appearance of these scumbags. I couldn't care less what they look like.

What they've done is honestly one of the lowest things a human being could ever stoop to. It's profoundly depressing.

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speedyuk says...
3:52pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Why is it these type of scum never get anything wrong with them, it's always the nice ones who get cancer, im not wishing it on anyone as I believe in Karma but this is the lowest of the low.

I really hope the Judge makes an example of them and gives them some time in HMP but I bet all they get is community service.

This is sicker than sick lower than low, I am sure even the people of shirley warren and Millbrook hate this type of thief!!

She dont even look upset or show any remorse

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speedyuk says...
3:52pm Tue 26 Feb 13

Why is it these type of scum never get anything wrong with them, it's always the nice ones who get cancer, im not wishing it on anyone as I believe in Karma but this is the lowest of the low.

I really hope the Judge makes an example of them and gives them some time in HMP but I bet all they get is community service.

This is sicker than sick lower than low, I am sure even the people of shirley warren and Millbrook hate this type of thief!!

She dont even look upset or show any remorse

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izzybiza says...
8:16pm Tue 26 Feb 13

cantthinkofone wrote:
They should be sent back to where they came from.
millbrook

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cantthinkofone says...
5:31pm Wed 27 Feb 13

izzybiza wrote:
cantthinkofone wrote:
They should be sent back to where they came from.
millbrook
Bless you izzy. You're not very bright, but you try hard. :-)

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