Several people who thought they were helping a desperate woman who needed money to visit sick family members were actually victims of an elaborate fraud. 

Gemma Yates, 30, of Fairfield, Royal Wootton Bassett, regularly knocked on the doors of unsuspecting households in the town and asked for money, with some kind people falling for her sob story and handing it over.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation in a hearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on May 25.

She has been given a community order with conditions to comply with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement. She is also required to pay compensation of £80.

On March 21, Yates knocked on the front door of a home in Royal Wootton Bassett, falsely claiming her mother was in the hospital and asking money for a taxi to visit her. She received £80.

Between December 30, 2022, and March 5, 2023, Yates repeatedly visited another property in Royal Wootton Bassett and received another £40.

On one occasion, Yates received £40 after visiting the property in floods of tears, stating her mother was in an intensive care unit and that she needed money for a taxi to get to the hospital.

On another occasion, Yates convinced the victim to hand over their bank card and subsequently withdrew £20 in cash.

During this time Yates is also believed to have told the victim that her son was sick and needed to be taken to hospital, which she needed money for. 

Eventually, police received several reports of an unknown woman going door to door asking for money and she was arrested and charged in April.  

Wiltshire Police have welcomed the conviction and punishment with one officer involved in the case issuing a statement confirming this, as well as highlighting the vulnerability of the victims. 

PC Lucy Wright said: “Yates is a repeat offender who preyed on the victims’ generosity and kindness for her own gain.

“Her deceptive and fraudulent actions have had a significant impact on the community, particularly as many of her victims have been elderly.

“I’m pleased that she has been convicted of fraud and I would urge residents to continue to look out for neighbours and report any suspicious individuals approaching properties.”