A THIEVING bride-to-be who secretly frittered away her partner’s stag do kitty, leaving he and his friends stranded at a UK airport, has been spared immediate prison.
Rachel Doran, 32, was trusted with £11,160 which had been collected from former fiancé Chris Mahone and more than 30 of his best pals and relatives for an Ibiza bachelor bash in September, 2017.
But instead of booking the flights and hotel, as agreed, Doran spent the cash without Mr Mahone’s knowledge – and made desperate bids to recoup the funds through gambling and loans – before presenting the party with fake confirmation paperwork.
Carlisle Crown Court heard today (TUES) how one of Mr Mahone’s friends arrived at Leeds Bradford airport ahead of the stag party, and found his documents had not been recognised – nor was there any Ibiza Rocks hotel booking as planned. “It was then that it dawned on Mr Mahone what was going on,” stated prosecutor Gerard Rogerson. “He recognised that no booking had been made, and the responsibility for the booking of the flights and accommodation were supposed to have been lying with Rachel Doran.”
In a statement, Mr Mahone described feeling “let down” and “embarrassed” by a crime which made national newspaper headlines. ” I loved her at the time and I put all my trust in her,” he said. “My friends are gutted about what Rachel has done. They don’t want the money back. The just want justice done.
“My mates could have easily turned on me but they didn’t. Rachel took their hard earned money, too. I do not want to see Rachel again. I just want her to know what devastation she left behind, not only for me but for my family and friends.
He added: “I am really disappointed in her. She let me down at a time when we were supposed to be happy and looking forward to living together as man and wife.”
Doran, of Lamb Lane, Egremont, admitted theft and forgery of a flight booking document between the couple’s engagement on September 13, 2015, and September 7, 2017, at Cleator Moor, where the couple had lived. They were due to have married in December, 2017, but split after her crimes came to light.
A woman without previous convictions, she was said to “accept full responsibility” for her offending. Kim Whittlestone, defending, spoke of Doran’s personal problems at the time, but conceded: “She has brought shame upon herself but also shame upon her family.”
After hearing submissions, Judge Nicholas Barker suspended a 15-month jail term for two years, and ordered Doran to complete 240 hours’ unpaid work and rehabilitation. Now a factory worker, she was ordered to pay £3,600 compensation.
“On the face of it you have acted in a deceitful and callous way,” said Judge Barker. “You must have known that this theft would be found out.”
