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| Violinist Bethan Doci jailed for £300,000 cancer fraud Violinist Bethan Doci jailed for £300,000 cancer fraud | |
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| A professional violinist has been jailed for conning more than £300,000 out of well-wishers by pretending that she had cancer. Bethan Doci, 38, claimed she needed the money for her treatment, but was fit and well and instead funded a lavish lifestyle including holidays abroad, luxury cars and expensive handbags. | A professional violinist has been jailed for conning more than £300,000 out of well-wishers by pretending that she had cancer. Bethan Doci, 38, claimed she needed the money for her treatment, but was fit and well and instead funded a lavish lifestyle including holidays abroad, luxury cars and expensive handbags. |
| Doci, who has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and with orchestras around the world, cheated one man out of his life savings, Swansea crown court was told. | Doci, who has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and with orchestras around the world, cheated one man out of his life savings, Swansea crown court was told. |
| Jailing Doci for 32 months, the judge, Keith Thomas, said: “You committed these offences in a callous and heartless manner, saying you were suffering from cancer and needed treatment which you couldn’t afford. You took the money but used it on a lavish lifestyle.” | Jailing Doci for 32 months, the judge, Keith Thomas, said: “You committed these offences in a callous and heartless manner, saying you were suffering from cancer and needed treatment which you couldn’t afford. You took the money but used it on a lavish lifestyle.” |
| Thomas said her treatment of a retired chartered accountant, Liam Donnelly, 64, whose wife had died from cancer and who handed over £170,000 to help Doci, was especially harsh. “Your victims were devastated, especially Mr Donnelly, who you treated particularly cruelly by taking all his life savings,” the judge said. | Thomas said her treatment of a retired chartered accountant, Liam Donnelly, 64, whose wife had died from cancer and who handed over £170,000 to help Doci, was especially harsh. “Your victims were devastated, especially Mr Donnelly, who you treated particularly cruelly by taking all his life savings,” the judge said. |
| The court heard that Doci had no assets left, having spent all the money, and she was ordered to repay a nominal £1 in compensation. Doci, who used the professional name Bethan Morgan, wept as she was led away. | The court heard that Doci had no assets left, having spent all the money, and she was ordered to repay a nominal £1 in compensation. Doci, who used the professional name Bethan Morgan, wept as she was led away. |
| As well as Donnelly, Doci duped retired businessman Bruce Pilley, 58, out of £168,000, and former Royal Navy officer Neil McKelvie, 56, out £30,000 after advertising her fake illness on the Craigslist website. Doci, who lived in a riverside apartment in Swansea, admitted 11 counts of fraud from 2010-13. | As well as Donnelly, Doci duped retired businessman Bruce Pilley, 58, out of £168,000, and former Royal Navy officer Neil McKelvie, 56, out £30,000 after advertising her fake illness on the Craigslist website. Doci, who lived in a riverside apartment in Swansea, admitted 11 counts of fraud from 2010-13. |
| Catherine Richards, prosecuting, said Doci provided those who expressed a desire to help with false doctor’s notes. Richards said: “Her lies and deception became more and more elaborate.” | Catherine Richards, prosecuting, said Doci provided those who expressed a desire to help with false doctor’s notes. Richards said: “Her lies and deception became more and more elaborate.” |
| Paul Spreadborough, defending, said: “She was gaining a professional reputation as a violinist and was a dedicated performer. But she was caught in a classic spiral of lies, debt and deceit. She fell into a pattern and fell deeper and deeper.” | Paul Spreadborough, defending, said: “She was gaining a professional reputation as a violinist and was a dedicated performer. But she was caught in a classic spiral of lies, debt and deceit. She fell into a pattern and fell deeper and deeper.” |
| After the case, Supt Kath Pritchard described the investigation as “complex and protracted”. She said: “Thanks to the overwhelming evidence against Bethan Morgan, she pleaded guilty, which is testament to the tenacity and professionalism of our detectives. Bethan Doci/Morgan had a total disregard for her victims, who all trusted her. I hope her victims find some comfort in today’s outcome, which also sends out a clear message to criminals intent on committing fraudulent offences.” | After the case, Supt Kath Pritchard described the investigation as “complex and protracted”. She said: “Thanks to the overwhelming evidence against Bethan Morgan, she pleaded guilty, which is testament to the tenacity and professionalism of our detectives. Bethan Doci/Morgan had a total disregard for her victims, who all trusted her. I hope her victims find some comfort in today’s outcome, which also sends out a clear message to criminals intent on committing fraudulent offences.” |
| A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “She exploited the trust, emotional vulnerabilities and generosity of … persons whom she met on the internet. Her conduct amounted to a calculated protracted web of deceit to fund her lavish lifestyle and foreign travel. A thorough and lengthy investigation revealed the breadth of her crime and a number of victims. | A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “She exploited the trust, emotional vulnerabilities and generosity of … persons whom she met on the internet. Her conduct amounted to a calculated protracted web of deceit to fund her lavish lifestyle and foreign travel. A thorough and lengthy investigation revealed the breadth of her crime and a number of victims. |
| “We hope her conviction and sentence provide some solace to those who were betrayed and suffered as a result of her crime, and we hope it deters others from committing like offences.” | “We hope her conviction and sentence provide some solace to those who were betrayed and suffered as a result of her crime, and we hope it deters others from committing like offences.” |