Preston woman fined for cancelling passports while a family was abroad

Katie Smithies, of The Fieldings, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, cancelled passports belongings to a couple known to her.

It meant they were refused boarding on their flight back to the UK.

The 32-year-old appeared before Preston Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard between August 9 and 20, in 2018, she telephoned the Passport Office and cancelled two passports in the names of youngsters who had travelled with the couple.

Prosecuting, James Gore said the family had to then visit an American embassy for assistance.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of committing fraud by false representation.

The bench imposed an £830 fine, and ordered her to pay £400 compensation and an £83 surcharge.