Woman held in 'cancer lie' probe (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Woman held in 'cancer lie' probe

11:34am Monday 30th July 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of faking advanced cancer after friends and well wishers donated money to a collection in her aid.

Danielle Watson, 22, from Billericay, Essex, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of fraud by false representation and later released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The Sun newspaper said fundraising campaigns had been launched after she claimed she was fighting for her life following a diagnosis of stage four (advanced) cervical cancer.

Donors had grown suspicious, the Sun reported, after she fell pregnant while allegedly receiving treatment for the cancer.

Ms Watson, who reportedly works as a PA in London, told the Basildon Evening Echo in March that she had been given just a 15% chance of survival.

The newspaper reported that she was trying to raise £6,000 to pay for treatment not available on the NHS which could help save her life.

Ms Watson, whose married name is said to be Howard, told the Evening Echo that she decided to bring her wedding forward to her boyfriend Chris before she started another round of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. The couple were married in April.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "A woman was arrested on July 27 in connection with police inquiries into a charity collection.

"The 22-year-old woman was arrested at her home in Billericay at 9.30am. She was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

"The woman was later bailed until August 6 pending further inquiries."