A woman who pretended to collect money for a children’s charity has been fined £850.

Philomena Akintan, of Peckham High Street in London, was collecting donations outside Southfields Underground Station in Wandsworth during the Wimbledon tennis championships last year. 

The 55-year-old was spotted by a British Transport Police officer and subsequent checks found the charity had no record of her, the collection, or any money received. 

Akintan was found guilty of fraud by false representation at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court yesterday after pleading not guilty.

On top of the fine, she received a six week suspended sentence.

Investigating officer Inspector Dan Tanner said: “We are determined to tackle these type of fraud offences - which not only damage the travelling public’s confidence in donating money but directly take money from those who really need it.”