Woman creates fake JustGiving page to help bereaved 8-year-old

28-year-old admits fraud charge in court

An online fundraiser to help a bereaved eight-year-old boy get private therapy turned out to be a fraud perpetrated by a Castletown woman, a court’s heard.

28 year old Kayleigh Joanne Jones of Springfield Terrace appeared before magistrates at Douglas courthouse.

She's admitted fraud by making false representations online last November and December.

Prosecution advocate Barry Swain said Jones invented a tragic story about a young boy and launched an online fundraising campaign asking for donations.

The JustGiving page had a target of £2,250 which Jones said would be given to the boy.

After a week-long Facebook campaign, people had pledged £1,685 but a concerned member of the public contacted police with doubts about the story.

Jones was interviewed by officers, and admitted the fundraiser was a hoax.

JustGiving refunded all of the money donated.

Jones was bailed in the sum of £500 and will appear for sentencing on January 2.