A man who preyed on the generosity of Derry people by posing as a fundraiser for a ‘deaf charity’ has been jailed for five months.
Albert Hunter, 56, of Beech Road in the Castledermott area of Kildare, waived his right to a pre-sentence report and was found guilty of charges of fraud by false representation, obstructing police and driving a vehicle without insurance on February 20 of this year.
He appeared in court by way of video link from Maghaberry prison where he has been in custody since February 21.
Outlining the facts of the case, a Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative said at 1.10pm on February 20 an injured party reported that a man calling himself Graham Higgins arrived at their address.
It was in fact the defendant using an ‘alias’ and he purported to be a charity collector raising money for a ‘deaf charity’ on behalf of ‘Derry City Council’.
A description was provided of a ‘stocky’ man with ‘dark hair and glasses’ and the injured party also said the man ‘appeared to be speaking as if deaf himself’.
A description was circulated with negative results, but police then observed a man matching those details at Woodside Heights where he was ‘knocking on doors asking for donations’, the Public Prosecutor explained.
Judge Magill sentenced the 56-year-old to five months in prison, and ordered him to pay £109 plus 10 euros to a charity for the deaf in Northern Ireland or if possible in Derry.
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