A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND conman and his accomplice have admitted tricking unsuspecting residents into donating to a non-existent charity event.
Peter Robert Cannell, 32, of Pounder Place, Hartlepool, and Michael Ian Mathieson, 22, of Garside Drive, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to two charges each of fraud by false representation when they appeared before the town's magistrates today.
The court heard that Cannell, who is confined to a wheelchair, asked Mathieson to join him in collecting money door-to-door, using a bogus sponsorship form.
The pair targeted homes in Hartlepool's Nookston Close, Tarnston Road and Riggston Place on September 12, collecting about 50 for what they claimed was a sponsored walk in aid of special needs children at Springwell School.
They later admitted they had no intention of carrying out the walk or handing over the money to the school, but had intended to buy drugs with the cash.
The case was adjourned until October 23 for pre-sentencing reports.
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