CHARITY workers wept in the public gallery at Chelmsford Crown Court as victim impact statements were read out describing how £100,000 of money could have gone towards helping cancer sufferers.

More than 20 volunteers from Relay for Life Clacton were in court yesterday to witness the case involving Ian Smith, who admitted fraud by abuse of position after siphoning more than £100,000 into his personal bank account when it should have gone to Cancer Research UK.

Phil Sapey, the counter fraud manager for Cancer Research UK, said: “This money could have been used in many different ways.

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“It could fund a day’s research for 21 researchers at the Cambridge Institute, who push forward research on how cancer spreads.

“The impact has affected customer confidence, staff time, medical expenses, and caused reputational damage.”

Kelly Birchmore-Wells, who is a volunteer for Relay for Life Clacton, explained the reaction from volunteers when the victim statement was read out.

She said: “What got the lot of us was when they read out what that money could have been spent on.

“It’s so sad that people need what that money could have done – you don’t take from what could save another person’s life.”