Couple ordered to pay back nearly £70,000 after their 'charity' failed to complete a bathroom renovation for a disabled boy
A mum who had started work on a downstairs bathroom was left with large debts when charity Kidz Come First failed to pay as promised
A couple who defrauded a Clacton children’s charity out of more than £300,000 have been ordered to pay back nearly £70,000 by the court.
Compensation of £17,800 was ordered to be paid to the mum who had started work on a downstairs bathroom for her disabled son but was left with large debts when charity Kidz Come First failed to pay for the essential adaptions they had promised.
Ruksana Khan, of Westfield Road, Blackpool, had pleaded guilty in 2021 to defrauding the non-profit organisation over a four-year period from 2011 to 2015.
The 69 year-old was sentenced to 5 years and 11 months in prison.
In June 2024 at Chelmsford Crown Court two people were jailed for more than eight years.
James Donovan, 59, also of Westfield Road, Blackpool, had denied three counts of fraud but was found guilty by a jury in January 2024.
He was jailed for three years.
And at a separate hearing at the same court on Monday 31 March James Donovan was ordered to pay back £63,346.28, which included £17,800 in compensation to be paid to the victim.
At a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday 28 March Ruksana Khan was ordered to pay back £6,497.55.
The charity, set up by Khan, had people collecting cash for them up and down the country under the premise of providing funds to support children with disabilities or terminal illnesses.
But large sums were actually being used by both defendants for their personal gain, including gambling and paying household bills.
The boy's mother said "It was a financially and emotionally awful time.
"My son has cerebral palsy, and I had hoped to reduce my working hours and spend more quality time with him.
"Instead, I had to remortgage my home and take out other loans to cover the costs.
Meaning I had to work even longer hours.
They promised to help me, and I went to many of their events, but they were stealing money from vulnerable children who needed help."
Detective Inspector Alison Hooper said:
"This pair’s criminal activities impacted the most vulnerable members of society and it was only right that following their conviction we used our powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover their available assets.
"Disabled children and their families were promised financial support or holidays which never materialised and generous members of the public donating money which went straight into the pair’s pockets.
"They were rightfully jailed for their criminal activities.
"It is not right or fair that the vast majority of people in Essex work legitimately and pay taxes on their income while Khan and Donovan felt they could take money which was meant to support children in their time of need.
"The money that is not being paid as compensation will be invested into the Criminal Justice System and used to fund projects throughout Essex and we’re very proud to be able to work with some incredible organisations which make a real difference for vulnerable people."