FRAUDSTERS who stole tens of thousands of pounds by posing as Help for Heroes charity collectors were branded a “disgrace” as they were jailed yesterday.

Judge Brian Forster said the criminal gang, led by 39-year-old Natalie Hornby, of Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, had pocketed up to £45,000 from thousands of people over three months by fooling them into thinking they were donating to the wounded soldiers’ charity.

Sentencing them, Judge Forster ordered an investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act after none of the gang’s legal representatives could tell him what had happened to most of the money.

Last night, representatives from the charity branded the gang’s crimes unforgivable, saying it undermined the thousands of legitimate fundraisers across the UK.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Hornby obtained official memorabilia, including collecting tins, T-shirts, stickers and wristbands, by promising the charity she was collecting in Manchester Victoria railway station. The gang even secured donations from police officers and station officials.

Hornby’s co-defendants, Jacqueline Newnham, 57, Ellen Grant, 45, and Lydia Cummerson, 41, rattled collection tins several times.

Hornby’s husband, Robert, 41, was said to have accompanied them once.

Pubs, including The Strawberry, near St James’ Park, Newcastle, were targeted, as well as stations, stadiums, arenas, concerts and other events in Newcastle and Manchester.

When arrested in Newcastle on February 20, a diary was found detailing nearly 100 events where the gang planned collections.

The offences took place between November 2009 and February last year.

After a fallout among the gang, Newnham tried to register herself with Help for Heroes as a collector.

Michael Hodson, prosecuting, said the scam had damaged the charity by making venues wary of allowing legitimate fundraisers to collect.

He said the scam had been orchestrated by Natalie Hornby, who had registered with Help for Heroes on November 24, 2009, saying she was organising a five-a-side football match, which she later told the charity had been cancelled.

Natalie Hornby’s barrister, Joan Smith, said her client was naive, and that Newnham had been the real organiser, bringing Grant and Cummerson in on the operation. Ms Smith said the Hornbys had three teenage children, who would be separated if both parents were jailed.

Anthony Davis, for Newnham, labelled Natalie Hornby the ringleader. He said his client, from Droylsdon, Manchester, had shown remorse.

Shaun Routledge, for Grant, said his client had seen only £700 of the money and had lost everything. Cummerson said she had made no money from the scam.

Nigel Soppitt, for Robert Hornby, said his client had accompanied his wife only once.

Natalie Hornby, of Railway Cottages, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud and jailed for 30 months.

Newnham, who pleaded guilty to the charge, was jailed for 16 months. Grant, of Albert Avenue, Prestwich, Manchester, was found guilty and jailed for 15 months. Cummerson, of Falconwood Chase, Boothstown, Salford, was also convicted and jailed for 12 months.

Robert Hornby, also of Railway Cottages, admitted a minor part in the fraud and was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with supervision.

Judge Forster said: “The offending is serious because it was planned and it betrayed the generous support of many members of the public.

“They were all thinking they were giving money to help the many heroes of our country who have been wounded in service on behalf of us all.”

Last night, Help for Heroes co-founder Bryn Parry said: “That people choose to fraudulently and greedily take funds for their own use that are given generously by the British public and intended to support the wounded, is unforgivable.

“This undermines the thousands of generous and committed fundraisers across the UK who enabled Help for Heroes to commit £116m to provide practical and direct support to the wounded.”