A MUM who conned people into believing she would be taking part in the Race For Life charity run so she could cheat sponsors out of cash has been jailed for 18 months.

Donna Simpkins knocked on doors in the Oxford Road area of Swindon saying she was raising money for the breast cancer campaign and asking people to support her.

But the 36-year-old had no intention of taking part in the run and was just trying to con people out of money to fund her heroin habit.

Richard Thomas, prosecuting, told Swindon crown court that Simpkins and a friend were going door to door when they were spotted by police.

They had been presenting sponsor forms for last year's charity run, he said, and collecting money from householders who believed Simpkins was taking part.

Simpkins, who was on a drug treatment and testing order at the time for previous offences, knocked on at least 20 doors, the court heard.

Mr Thomas said that she admitted four counts of obtaining property by deception and asked for 16 similar matters to be taken into consideration.

He said that Simpkins had also used a stolen debit card to get groceries, cigarettes and cash back from supermarkets in February this year.

Then the following month she tried to withdraw £210 in cash with a cheque book stolen in a break in at Meadowcroft.

She also tried to cheat the Portman building society out of £1,000 with stolen documents the day after successfully getting away with £300.

The court heard that she was also in breach of two drug treatment and testing orders imposed for a number of offences.

Simpkins, of Drakes Way, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of deception, three of attempted deception, two handling and one of possessing heroin.

She also admitted breaching two drug treatment and testing orders and asked for 16 other offences to be taken into consideration.

Rob Ross, defending, said that she accepted she was facing the prospect of a prison term.

He said she had given her children to her mother to look after before giving herself up to the police.

Jailing her, Recorder Nigel Seed QC said it was particularly mean to trade on people's sympathy for charity.

He told her: "The punishment I impose on you will, I hope, be of some assistance."

Karen Davis, a spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK, said: "Cancer Research UK are sad to hear of this very rare case and we still encourage people to support the thousands of women who are genuinely taking part in the race.

"Participants are given an official race number and sponsorship form.

"If people have any doubts about anyone collecting money for the race, ring the Race for Life hotline on 08705 134314. They will be able to confirm if that person is taking part."

This year's Race For Life will be held at Lydiard Park on Saturday and Sunday

Lyndsay Scanlan