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Cancer lie husband 'stole years of my life' | Cancer lie husband 'stole years of my life' |
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A woman whose husband pretended to have cancer has said his years of lying "stole so much of my life". | A woman whose husband pretended to have cancer has said his years of lying "stole so much of my life". |
Lucy Witchard, of Leicester, said David Carroll, 35, told her he had leukaemia when they met in 2006 - they married in 2011 and have since divorced. | Lucy Witchard, of Leicester, said David Carroll, 35, told her he had leukaemia when they met in 2006 - they married in 2011 and have since divorced. |
She said in 2015 her mother gave him £2,000 for treatment in the US after he said the cancer was terminal. | She said in 2015 her mother gave him £2,000 for treatment in the US after he said the cancer was terminal. |
Carroll was given a suspended prison sentence for fraud at Leicester Magistrates' Court last week. | Carroll was given a suspended prison sentence for fraud at Leicester Magistrates' Court last week. |
During their four years of marriage, Carroll had also lied about having prostate and stomach cancer, but later admitted this, Ms Witchard said. | |
She told the BBC Carroll would not allow her to attend chemotherapy sessions in hospital and frequently said the leukaemia got better and worse. | |
"He would say, 'I'm protecting you from this' and I'd get too emotional being there," she said. | |
"When I questioned his treatment he threatened to leave me saying our relationship could not work if I didn't trust him." | |
Latest news from the East Midlands | Latest news from the East Midlands |
The family became suspicious while Carroll was in the US - enjoying a holiday rather than receiving cancer treatment. | |
The 31-year-old said she confronted him on his return but he went "ballistic" and tried to keep up the pretence. | |
"He even got a work friend to call me pretending to be his doctor," she said. | |
"I knew after that phone call that our marriage was over." | "I knew after that phone call that our marriage was over." |
Ms Witchard said she still felt "incredibly hurt and angry", as he "stole so much of my life". | Ms Witchard said she still felt "incredibly hurt and angry", as he "stole so much of my life". |
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A former team-mate at a Leicester rugby club told the BBC that Carroll also told members of his "cancer" and received handouts of food and drink. | A former team-mate at a Leicester rugby club told the BBC that Carroll also told members of his "cancer" and received handouts of food and drink. |
Jonathan Hunt, of Aylestone Athletic RFC, said: "Carroll had set himself a challenge to run seven marathons in seven days, but then he couldn't because he said his condition was getting worse. | Jonathan Hunt, of Aylestone Athletic RFC, said: "Carroll had set himself a challenge to run seven marathons in seven days, but then he couldn't because he said his condition was getting worse. |
"The club then organised two charity fundraising events, including a run, to support Carroll and people with leukaemia." | "The club then organised two charity fundraising events, including a run, to support Carroll and people with leukaemia." |
Carroll was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after being found guilty of fraud by false representation. | Carroll was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after being found guilty of fraud by false representation. |
He was also told to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation. | He was also told to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation. |
A 12-month restraining order means he is not allowed to contact Ms Witchard or his mother-in-law. | A 12-month restraining order means he is not allowed to contact Ms Witchard or his mother-in-law. |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |