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A man has been jailed for setting up a fraudulent GoFundMe page in memory of four people who died in a collision.

On Friday, October 28, Jason MacDonald was found guilty of possessing the criminal property relating to that fraud and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

The 38-year-old of Blackbird Court in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was sentenced to 26 months in prison.

Jordan Rawlings, 20, Corey Owen, 19, Matthew Parke, 19, and Ryan Nelson, 20, from Calne, Wiltshire, were killed when their car left the road near Chippenham, Wiltshire, in August 2020.

Last month’s conviction concluded the lengthy investigation into the fundraising page entitled “Jordan, Corey, Matt, Ryan Memorial” which was set up shortly after the horrific incident on the A4 Derry Hill.

Investigating Officer DC Kevin Golledge said: “We hope this result sends a strong message to others that we take such incidents seriously and we won’t hesitate to take action.

“This was a despicable crime that saw someone try to capitalise on the deaths of four young men.”

Police Sergeant Rich Marshall said: “This is a crime that has impacted the four children’s family and the people who paid into the donation account.

“We hope the sentencing will show that justice has been done and I hope this brings some closure for the families of the four young men.”

A GoFundMe spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “All donations were refunded when these allegations were first raised.

“In the very rare case there is misuse, GoFundMe will refund donations. This means there is no risk whatsoever to donors.

“We’re proud to have the world’s only crowdfunding guarantee, where your money gets where it is supposed to go – or we will reimburse you.

“GoFundMe will also always cooperate with any police investigation into misuse”.

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