A fraudster set up a fundraiser page for people to donate to her mother’s funeral , before keeping the thousands of pounds for herself. Danielle Kelly set up the gofundme page to remember her mother, and dozens of people, including her uncle, pledged money towards her funeral, and other costs in May last year. But Cannock Magistrates’ Court heard Kelly instead spent the money on herself, putting it towards her rent and other bills.
In August last year, Kelly contacted the council to say she was struggling financially and she needed help with the funeral costs, despite the account having more than £1,000 at the time. On September 1, Kelly spoke to the coroner's officer to ask to have a council funeral, StokeonTrentLive reported . Prosecutor Sara Beddow said: "On September 22 it was confirmed she had made no contact with a funeral directors to pay for the funeral.
It was paid for by Derbyshire Council. "Enquiries with the bank confirmed her bank account was credited with £2,000 on June 30 last year. Her balance on August 3 was £134.
"She obtained £3,470 towards her mother's funeral costs but did not use the money for its intended purpose and requested the council pay for it instead." In her police interview Kelly confirmed she received £2,000 from the two donors and said she spent it on 'rent, bills and living costs'. Miss Beddow added there were claims for compensation for the two people who paid £1,000 and Derbyshire Council which paid £1,760.
Kelly, of Compton Roa.