Charity blasts 'wicked scam'

THE cold-hearted conman who scammed a local charity by passing fake banknotes has been branded ‘disgusting’.

‘Hope and a Future’ was founded in 2007 following a humanitarian trip to Ethiopia by Kevin and Christine Keenan - and since then the charity has made a tangible difference to many people’s lives both there and closer to home.

Mr Keenan revealed this week that the ‘wicked’ crime came at a challenging time for the charity - and he warned other local businesses to be on their guard as the daylight robberies continue.

The incident took place in Randalstown last Thursday.

“The man came to the till in the shop at New Street and offered a £20 note to purchase a £1 man’s belt,” Mr Keenan told the Guardian.

“The staff member was uneasy and said he could not change it but instead he took a £1 coin from his own pocket and gave it to the man who used it and left with the belt.”

But it appears that the conman was undeterred.

“Within the following moments the man went across the road to another Hope and a Future charity shop and again presented the £20 to purchase a £1 item - and on this occasion he was successful and left with £19 in genuine money in his pocket.

“The shop volunteer on this occasion was a young man who lives with Leukaemia and this caused upset which he really did not need in his life.

“We later learned that the same person had targeted several other businesses in Randalstown, with success in several places.

“This was a very mean action and the public and particularly business people need to be aware of this scam.

“Hope and a Future Charity has been experiencing financial decline over the past year and it is disappointing to be a victim of a wicked scam.

“Disgusting that these people target a charity shop where staff give their time freely.”