Woman who was a “plague to horse industry” jailed

A woman has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for multiple fraud and theft offences.
Charmaine McAllister has been jailed for 56 monthsCharmaine McAllister has been jailed for 56 months
Charmaine McAllister has been jailed for 56 months

Charmaine Kate McAllister (28), who lived at addresses in Stickford and Alford in Lincolnshire before moving to Huddersfield, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday 22 June and was sentenced in relation to 45 offences involving frauds to the value of over £46,000.

Many of the frauds related to purchases of saddles through Ebay and thefts committed at equestrian events.

Judge Peter Kelson told McAllister, who also committed crimes under the name Rowan: “You were a plague to equestrian events. You were a plague to the whole horse industry”.

He dismissed a psychiatric report which said McAllister suffered from an impulse control disorder, as ‘less than compelling’ and stated: “You are just a deep-seated thief. You don’t care about the impact on your victims or your own family”.

PC Stephanie Snell was the Lincolnshire investigating officer. She said: “Following a lengthy and protracted investigation into numerous offences of theft and fraud by Miss McAllister, it is extremely satisfying to see that the criminal justice system has served the victims in this case by imposing a lengthy custodial sentence.

“The victims, who were from all parts of the United Kingdom, have lost large sums of money and were all affected by the manipulative and dishonest behaviour of McAllister.

“She showed no remorse in her offending and committed numerous offences whilst on probation with a suspended sentence order, and also after being interviewed by the police, going on to commit further offences each time and using dishonest methods to evade custody and court appearances.

“McAllister is skilled in the art of deception and has managed to defraud a high number of victims and I am happy that justice has been served, and she is now unable to commit any further offences”.