Bexhill animal rescuer spared jail over fraud

Chris Tucker was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court

An animal rescuer convicted of using £190,000 of public donations to pay for a house has been given a suspended sentence.

Chris Tucker, of Chantry Road, Bexhill, was convicted of fraud at Lewes Crown Court in October, and was sentenced at the same court on Thursday.

He received a 21-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

The money had been raised for Bexhill and Hastings Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue, Sussex Police said.

The force said Tucker had promised to sign over his house to a trust which would oversee the rescue if enough cash was raised.

But after the money was raised, Tucker took sole control of the house where the rescue was based, using the money to buy out his former partner, police said.

He was also sentenced to a 10-week overnight curfew and ordered to complete 10 days' rehabilitation activity.

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