Victims of a repeat scam artist have disclosed that they have only received £100 out of the £13,750 that she was mandated to pay them seven months ago following the exposure of a fraudulent wedding scheme. Charlotte Blackwell from Bridgend narrowly escaped imprisonment after deceiving her then-fiancé’s mother and acquaintances, who now accuse her of disregarding the court’s directives.
The 31-year-old, previously let off for defrauding a children’s cancer charity, fabricated false wedding arrangements to alleviate her gambling debts. Between 2022 and 2024, she swindled £12,682 from individuals purportedly involved in the wedding party, claiming it was for an upcoming ceremony in Turkey.
The four victims included her former fiancé’s mother, Paula Thomas, who contributed £3,296, along with three friends of Ms. Thomas – Helen Morse, Sue Chapman, and Tracey Roberts – who paid £3,311, £3,272, and £2,803 respectively. In March, Blackwell was handed a suspended prison term, community service, and instructed to pay £3,500 in restitution to each of the victims, acknowledging the distress she had caused.
Despite Blackwell’s assurance to the judge that she would repay £400 monthly, the victims assert they have only received £25.45 each from a solitary payment in early July. Consequently, Blackwell faced a £200 penalty for missing numerous community service appointments, adding to the anguish of her victims awaiting long-overdue compensation.
One of the victims, Ms. Morse, expressed dismay over the situation, highlighting the trust shattered by Blackwell’s actions. She recounted the disappointment and caution instilled by the ordeal, emphasizing the impact on their ability to trust others.
Efforts to recoup the funds have been met with frustration, with the victims feeling let down by the slow progress. Blackwell managed to evade a prison sentence previously for a separate £4,000 scam involving a children’s cancer charity, Morgan’s Army, by fabricating medical needs for her daughter. This marked another instance where Blackwell deceived vulnerable individuals, exploiting their goodwill for personal gain.
The charity, founded in memory of Morgan Ridler, a young cancer victim, was duped by Blackwell’s false claims, prompting a freeze and recovery of the misappropriated funds. Despite the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to recovering financial penalties for victims, Blackwell remained unresponsive to requests for comment.