British Mother Fakes Cancer to Defraud Partner of $32K, Spends it on Cosmetic Surgery
In a jaw-dropping tale of deceit, 35-year-old Laura McPherson managed to convince her partner, Jon Leonard, that she was battling terminal cancer, swindling him out of over $32,000 for supposed treatments between March 2017 and January 2022. The Derby Crown Court heard the shocking details of McPherson’s elaborate ruse, which included claims of multiple cancer diagnoses—breast, bowel, colon, ovarian, and cervical—while she was purportedly receiving treatment on the National Health Service (NHS) and through private clinics.
Instead of funding actual medical care, McPherson used the money for breast augmentation and weight-loss treatments abroad, as reported by The Times. Leonard, a man with a commendable track record of raising substantial funds—around $51 million—for cancer charities through his business, was left reeling when he discovered the truth. He vividly recounted how their daughter, who was only 12 when the deception began, was emotionally affected, often crying at school due to fears of losing her mother.
The deceit unraveled in December 2021 when Leonard dropped McPherson off at the Royal Derby Hospital, only to later find out she had taken a taxi to Coventry instead of receiving treatment. A follow-up call to the private clinic revealed that McPherson had undergone cosmetic surgery rather than the mastectomy she had claimed she needed. This cruel web of lies shattered not only Leonard’s trust but also inflicted deep emotional scars, as he stated in his victim impact statement.
Judge Jonathan Straw didn’t hold back in his condemnation of McPherson’s actions, labeling her a “wicked and devious liar.” Despite the gravity of the situation, McPherson was handed a two-year community order, which includes wearing an electronic tag and adhering to a strict curfew, rather than facing immediate jail time. This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to for personal gain, leaving a trail of emotional devastation in their wake.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, The Times, Derby Telegraph
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