An infamous charity fraudster has been ordered to pay back just £1, despite stealing over £37k from her dead brother's foundation, after claiming she has 'no money'. Kayleigh Towler, formerly known as Pepper, siphoned away thousands of pounds from the organisation set up after her sibling was stabbed to death to fund trips away and clothes.
The Rich Foundation was set up after Towler's brother Richard Pepper, 25, was stabbed to death in a shocking street attack in Hull back in 2015. At the time, she spearheaded campaigns aimed at educating people about the dangers of carrying knives.
However, despite her seemingly honest intentions things were far darker behind the scenes with Towler stealing money from the foundation to fund her own lavish lifestyle, reports Hull Live. Pepper admitted to fraud by abusing her position as a trustee of the Rich Foundation to make a gain for herself between July 1, 2018 and April 9, 2020, whilst on trial at Hull Crown Court earlier this year.
For her crimes, Towler was sentenced to 20 months in jail. She brought £2,000 with her to court in compensation which was not taken from her on the day of her sentencing.
Despite the fraudster being sent down back in March, the case has now resurfaced at a Proceeds of Crime mention hearing arranged to investigate whether any of the plundered money could be recovered and repaid. However, the prosecution now believe that the £2,000 offered from Towley has 'disappeared'.
The convicted criminal stated that £1,700 of the £2,000 belonged to another person and it had apparently since been handed back to him. The 37-year-old had previously claimed to have only £300 to her name but now states that she has no money at all that could be seized.
Pepper stated previously: "The £2,000 in question is some money that I brought to court on March 11." She claimed that the prosecution had only become aware of its existence because of what she called her own "honesty" in making it available.
She said at the earlier hearing that she had two young children, then aged 11 and 8, and they were now sleeping on air beds. Towley stated that if she had the cash now to pay off her debts, her children 'would be sleeping on proper beds'.
She continued stating: "I never, ever imagined in a million years that I would get in this position and I can only apologise sincerely for the hurt I have caused. I deserve the chance to move forward with my children. I just felt I needed to say that."
The court was told that the adjusted agreed benefit figure of the scam was £37,000 but that she had no means to pay that. She was ordered to pay a nominal £1 within seven days or face one day in prison in default.
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