Conman's cash handed over (From Witney Gazette)

Conman's cash handed over

9:00am Wednesday 15th March 2006 in Witney By Andrew Alexander

DONATIONS given to a bogus charity collector were handed to the good cause they were intended for.

Police handed over a cheque for £179.82 the amount collected by a Coventry man who was arrested in the Beehive pub, Carterton, last June.

Eric Flowers had claimed to be collecting for the Royal National Institute for the Blind, but was charged with deception after a member of the public grew suspicious and called police.

He was sentenced to 120 days in prison and fined £200 at Witney Magistrates Court on October 12 last year.

Handing a cheque to the real RNIB, Insp Darren Carver, from Witney police station, said: "We felt it was appropriate that they should have the money, as those who had contributed to the collection had wanted to give to this excellent cause.

"We suggest people ask for ID when they make donations and if they're not happy with it they should contact the police.

"This is a relatively rare crime, and we tend to catch them quite quickly because people get a feeling that something's not right."

Sophie Redman, from the RNIB, said: "Most collectors are legitimate and are doing a wonderful job. Volunteers are vital to our work, RNIB would not exist as it is today without them and there are over 5,500 dedicated volunteers who contribute to RNIB's work.

"We're really struggling for volunteers across the whole of Oxfordshire."

Anyone who would like to volunteer should call 01934 613670.