UK Woman Gambled Away Son's Cancer Treatment Money

A mother in the UK was ordered to pay £54,000 in restitution after being given a suspended sentence for pleading guilty to fraud by using funds raised to fight her son's cancer for gambling purposes.

Stacey Worsley pleaded guilty to stealing the funds, which were raised to help support her son Toby's treatment. The family managed to raise £200,000 with help from outside sources, including Leeds United Football Club, but his mother lost about £140,000 of the money. She had initially believed she could gamble the money to raise more money for treatment, but began chasing losses and the funds dwindled. The money was recovered from the betting companies and the court was told it would be returned to donors and other charities.

Worsley was given a two year suspended sentence, with £54,000 in restitution due by the end of the month. If she cannot pay the funds, she will head to jail for up to a year's time. Her six-year-old son Toby passed away from neuroblastoma earlier this year in January.

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