The founder and a former trustee of a children’s charity in Essex have been jailed after stealing £315,000 from the organisation, which was spent on online gambling and household bills.
Ruksana Khan, 68, set up the charity Kidz Come First in 2011 with the aim of supporting children with terminal illnesses or disabilities.
Khan set up the charity in her former home in Clacton which she shared with James Donovan, 58, who was a trustee of the organisation from its launch.
Essex Police said that they stole £315,000 from the charity between 2011 and 2015.
Khan pleaded guilty to fraud in 2021 and was sentenced to five years and 11 months in prison this month.
Meanwhile, Donovan denied three counts of fraud but was jailed for three years at Chelmsford Crown Court on 13 June.
Background
A police investigation was launched into the activity surrounding Kidz Come First in 2017 after complaints were received by the Charity Commission.
Essex Police said that Donovan opened Kidz Come First’s bank account and statements show that thousands of pounds were paid to Khan’s personal account, and the money was used on online gambling sites.
Large sums were also paid to Donovan between 2013 and 2016 and some of the funds were spent on gambling websites.
The charity was dissolved in 2016 and removed from the register the same month.
Commission: ‘Took advantage of public generosity’
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “We expect anyone working on behalf of a charity to do so with integrity. These individuals took advantage of public generosity and diverted much needed funds away from causes people care about.
“The verdict sends a strong warning to anyone seeking to misuse public goodwill for their own benefit, that they will be held to account.
“Most fundraising is genuine but on rare occasions when it isn’t, the Commission will intervene. Our work was instrumental in putting a stop to this fraudulent operation.
“Working with the police and other law enforcement agencies is essential to detecting, deterring and preventing financial abuse so the British public can feel confident their charitable donations are being put to the intended use.”
Essex Police: ‘Set up the charity with clear motive to steal funds’
Lead investigating officer, detective constable Claire March, said: “This has been a complex investigation.
“Khan and Donovan have shown no remorse throughout this case.
“Khan set up the charity with a clear motive from the beginning to steal funds for their gambling addictions and lifestyle.
“To steal £315,000 from a children’s charity where the money should have been spent on disabled and terminally ill children for equipment, healthcare and respite holidays is absolutely shocking.
“They have both received the sentences they deserve. Police are in the process of applying for confiscation orders to recoup some of the money stolen.”
