A BOGUS charity collector who was caught operating in Bolton town centre has been spared jail.

Pensioner Michael Ellis was wearing an identification badge claiming he was collecting cash on behalf of a blind charity.

The organisation, Educated Heart, no longer exists.

Ann Deakin, prosecuting at Bolton Magistrates Court told how 74-year-old Ellis had stopped a man in Bolton town centre on September 8, last year claiming he was collecting for the charity.

The man, who was working for a charity in the town himself, made a donation but then became suspicious.

He quickly researched the Educated Heart and reported the pensioner to police after discovering it was no longer operating.

Miss Deakin said: “After he checked it out he managed to detain Ellis and contacted the police who apprehended him.”

A search of Ellis’s home Sedgemoor Way, Oldham, uncovered a variety of documents, a ledger and payment slips.

The court heard that Ellis has previously served a 12 month prison sentence in Stafford for theft.

He was also given a community order in Wimbourne for collecting alms by false pretences.

Miss Deakin added: “Mr Ellis is not as naive as he would suggest.”

Asad Khan, defending, said Ellis did not fit the criminal stereotype and the pensioner had spent the best part of his life in the education sector.

“He had no desire to keep this money, which may be at odds with his past, and as a result, he finds himself here disgraced for £2 or £3,” he said.

“ He is genuinely remorseful.”

Sentencing, chairman of the bench Joanne Halliday said Ellis’s behaviour amounted to “an abuse of public trust.”

Ellis, who admitted committing fraud, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months and was also ordered to pay £620 prosecution costs plus a £115 victim surcharge.