A Cambridge mother has been spared from jail after falsely claiming her son had cancer and pocketing financial donations meant for his support.
Karen Morley, 36, of Engledow Drive, was sentenced at Huntingdon Law Courts on Wednesday for child neglect and fraud offences.
She had fabricated her son's cancer diagnosis, collected donations and even had his hair cut to maintain the deception.
Morley told her son's Cambridge school about his supposed cancer diagnosis in January 2022, leading to numerous absences.
Cambridge mum spared jail after falsely claiming son had cancer and pocketing JustGiving cash
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
When asked for evidence, she provided a fake NHS letter as "proof".
She repeatedly discussed his cancer diagnosis and treatment with the school on at least seven occasions.
Morley also shared the false information with other parents and on social media, later deleting these posts.
Her own family was told the same lies.
A kindhearted woman set up a JustGiving fundraiser after conversations with Morley, raising £218 which was transferred into Morley's bank account in April 2022.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:A hairdresser also refused payment and shaved the boy's hair for free after being told about the cancer.
Morley pleaded guilty to child neglect and two counts of fraud at the first opportunity during a hearing in October.
Suspicions were raised by the boy's school on September 5, 2022, prompting a safeguarding referral.
Investigations by health services revealed there was no record of the boy ever having cancer.
Police and social care visited the family, noting the young boy had the appearance of someone undergoing cancer treatment.
The boy was placed into police protection and Morley was arrested on suspicion of child neglect.
The boy is now in the care of a local authority
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
In police interview, Morley initially denied telling anyone her son had cancer or giving him medication.
The boy appeared slim and gaunt, with very short hair and bald patches.
He told police his mother had said he had cancer.
He believed he was taking medicine in the form of "hot" berry flavoured sweets and milkshakes to help him gain weight.
These sweets were later identified as multivitamins.
Morley was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years.
She was also ordered to complete a 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
The sentence, which took place at Huntingdon Law Courts on April 2, also included a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.
Sentencing, Judge David Farrell said Morley's son had suffered "psychological, developmental and emotional harm" and continues to do so.
He added that her offending was "intrinsically linked to her profound mental health challenges".
The judge noted mitigating factors including Morley's early guilty plea, previous good character and remorse.
He felt able to suspend the prison sentence due to a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation".
Detective Sergeant Mark Williamson, from the force's Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit, said: "This case will no doubt be shocking to everyone who hears about it and Morley's deceit is almost beyond belief."
"The boy at the heart of this case was told he never had cancer, and since then has really struggled."
He is now in the care of the local authority.