Wimbledon Tennis Security Guard Ripped-Off Fans

An official G4S security guard scammed tennis fans during the Wimbledon championship by imposing a fivefold charge on bags they had to hand in before entering the grounds.

Hyacinth Reid, 48, was in charge of looking after belongings, but routinely charged £5 instead of the mandatory £1 fee.

The Jamaican national - a convicted shoplifter - of Kettlebaston Road, Leyton claims Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and was only hired for the two weeks of the championship.

During today's Wimbledon Magistrates Court hearing Reid was tearful and seemingly on the brink of collapse, but afterwards was seen outside laughing while on her phone after receiving a conditional discharge.

She pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation in Somerset Road on July 8, namely overcharging for cloak facilities.

Prosecutor Miss Colette Hannah told the court: "Mrs Reid was working for G4S during Wimbledon and her job was to take baggage at a temporary site and every bag was a one pound fee.

"Some customers said they had been charged more than one pound and a test purchase was made and a red suitcase handed over to Mrs Reid."

The defendant said: "What you got in there? It's five pounds babe."

A second test also resulted in an overcharge when a large suitcase and rucksack was handed in and Reid said: "Wow. Why are you straining yourself? I was going to take five pounds, but I'll charge you four pounds."

Reid also failed a third test, overcharging again and she was arrested and questioned.

"She said her float was twenty pounds down and she was trying to make up the shortfall," explained Miss Hannah.

"She admitted she knew the charge was one pound and said she overcharged only once to make up the loss.

"She said she received tips from the customers and that was why she had extra money on her."

Probation officer Philomena McFadden said Reid moved to the UK with her husband in 1997, but he passed away four years later.

"She is very isolated, she has no family, no friends. She suffers from depression, but does enjoy work when she can do it.

"She comes across as naive lady and says she was overwhelmed by the crowds.

"This all stemmed from a woman leaving a suitcase and walking off without paying and she panicked and stupidly and naively tried to balance the books.

"She is on ESA so is not suitable for community service work as a punishment."

Her lawyer told the court Reid has been employed by G4S at Hyde Park concerts and at the London Olympics, describing her as: "very genuine."

He said she was very popular amongst fellow members of staff and the public and during the championship received tips, souvenir tennis balls and glassware and sandwiches.

Reid was conditionally discharged for twelve months, with £50 costs and was ordered to pay a £180 court charge and a £15 victim surcharge.