A BRIDE who faked having terminal most cancers to con family members into paying over £8,000 for her dream wedding ceremony was jailed at present.
Toni Standen, 29, shaved her head and lied to family and friends – in addition to her native paper – saying: “It’s gone to my mind, my bones – it’s all over the place.”
Standen, 29, shaved her head and lied to family and friendsCredit score: Mirrorpix
The couple raised wedding ceremony funds by establishing a GoFundMe web pageCredit score: Mirrorpix
She stated it was her “dying wish” to tie the knot with 52-year-old hubby James, so these closest to her – in addition to kindhearted strangers – rallied spherical.
They raised the funds by establishing a GoFundMe web page in February final yr after Standen claimed her vaginal most cancers was terminal.
Jobless Standen, of Widnes, Cheshire, additionally tugged at heartstrings by saying she needed her dad Derek, 57, who was dying of most cancers, to stroll her down the aisle.
He died earlier than the large day however an emotional video recording was performed leaving company in tears.
Standen and her companion James married at St Bede’s Catholic Church, Widnes, final summer time earlier than having a reception at a close-by sports activities membership with round 150 company.
The couple then went on honeymoon to Turkey – paid for by well-wishers.
The fundraiser – titled ‘Assist Give Toni and Jim The Wedding ceremony They Deserve’ – raised £8,344, with the money paid straight into Standen’s checking account.
An image posted on social media confirmed her mendacity on a mattress in a resort room following their large day whereas rifling by way of wedding ceremony playing cards, counting the money inside.
In July 2017, Standen was interviewed in her native paper saying she had most cancers.
She gave a second interview final yr, telling of the “devastating” information her sickness was terminal.
Standen claimed she had two months to stay
Standen was jailed for 5 months at Chester Magistrates’ Court docket at present after admitting fraudCredit score: Peter Powell Restricted
Standen and her companion James married at St Bede’s Catholic Church, Widnes, final summer timeCredit score: Andrew Worth 07774611778
Then, in January this yr, Standen went as far to say she had two months to stay and her organs had began to fail.
And in February, a submit on her Fb web page – which she later blamed on hackers stated: “RIP TONI. Our pretty Toni handed away final night time, surrounded by family and friends… robust till the tip.”
Duped best friend Ashlea Rowson [Corr] confronted Standen in April this yr and she or he lastly admitted her lies.
LIES EXPOSED
In a sufferer affect assertion, Ashlea, whose suspicions had been raised when Standen claimed she’d caught coronavirus, stated: “Toni was my closest pal. I cherished her like a sister.
“Each heartache and setback in relation to her alleged most cancers. I skilled these feelings too.
“Whereas the details now not stand, my expertise stays actual. My tears had been actual, my grief was actual and nonetheless is.
“I consider the best disservice has been to each one that has fought or is combating a real battle with this illness.
“Toni’s father being one in every of them.”
Cheryl Aston, 33, who donated £525, stated: “She might have received an Oscar, her performing was that good.”
Her aunt Connie Atherton stated: “It’s come as a giant shock to us. We went to the marriage. She betrayed her pals.”
‘SHAMELESSNESS’
She was jailed for 5 months at Chester Magistrates’ Court docket after admitting fraud.
District Decide Nicholas Sanders instructed her: “Each proper considering member of society could be appalled by your behaviour.
“Fortunately it’s not typically this courtroom has to condemn somebody who has proven such a level of shamelessness, such greed, or such a betrayal of friendship as you probably did to your mates and the broader group.
“You made up an sickness to realize the sympathy of your mates and sat again and watched as they raised cash to help you.
“You continued to brighten that tissue of lies, telling those self same pals on one event that you simply solely had weeks to stay.
“I do not settle for what’s stated that having began you merely couldn’t cease.
“Not solely did you not cease however you made it worse. You gave newspaper interviews to engender public sympathy in your made up plight.
“You used that cash raised from the generosity of others to fund your wedding ceremony and holidays.
“Such was your lack of disgrace that you simply stored taking cash from them over many, many months.”
Standen strolling down the aisle on her wedding ceremony day
