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Off-duty bobby nabs con artist

28/12/2001

A BOGUS charity collector was arrested by an off-duty police officer after she asked him to donate money to help terminally ill children.

Stephanie Timpson, of Bennett Street, Hyde, pleaded guilty to forgery, three charges of criminal attempts and two counts of obtaining property by deception at Tameside magistrates. She asked for a further five offences to be taken into account.

The court heard that the 25-year-old kitted herself out with a fake NSPCC identification badge and a folder containing forged charity letterheads - including one for the police rugby charity - in a bid to fool her victims.

On October 29 she knocked on the door of an 84-year-old man and duped him into handing over £1 after telling him she was collecting for children's charity.

She collected another pound from a neighbour but was arrested after one resident she approached became suspicious and phoned the police.

Timpson appeared before Tameside magistrates and the case was adjourned to November 28 but she failed to appear.

She was arrested later the same day after she knocked on the door of an off-duty police officer asking if he would like to donate money to help sick children.

He said no but followed Timpson while he contacted police on his mobile phone, later arresting her.

Angela Fitzpatrick, defending, told the court Timpson had been in hospital with an infection in her leg in the days before her second arrest.

She said: "This was a very un-sophisticated deception. She does express remorse and regret for these offences which were caused by her drug problem.

"She has de-toxed herself and her father and partner have said they will maintain support.

"She was a very poorly young women when she committed the second set of offences and was very desperate. She had no money at all, not even to make a phone call to myself.

"She is an extremely intelligent and articulate woman. It is always a shame when some gets to rock bottom."

Timpson was given a 12 month drug treatment and testing order and was ordered to pay £100 costs.