Former MP admits altering passport image to access gambling site
The offence was linked to an attempt to bypass gambling restrictions during a period of psychological distress.
Key takeaways
- Former Conservative MP Katie Wallis pleaded guilty to an offence under the Computer Misuse Act.
- Prosecutors said Wallis altered the date on an image of her own passport to gain access to an online gambling website.
- The court heard Wallis had previously registered with Gamstop due to a recognised gambling problem.
- More serious charges relating to possession of a false passport were dropped following an agreement with prosecutors.
- Cardiff Crown Court imposed a nine-month conditional discharge after accepting the offence was an isolated and impulsive act.
Former Conservative MP Katie Wallis has admitted digitally altering an image of her passport in order to gain access to an online gambling platform after previously self-excluding through Gamstop. Cardiff Crown Court heard the offence took place during a period of acute psychological distress, with prosecutors describing it as an isolated incident that caused no financial loss to third parties.
UK.- Another gambling incident involving a former Conservative MP has caught the attention of media in the UK. Katie Wallis has admitted altering an image of her passport in order to gain access to an online gambling website, after reaching an agreement with prosecutors that led to more serious passport-related charges being dropped.
Wallis, who uses female pronouns and was previously known as Jamie Wallis, had been scheduled to stand trial on two counts relating to possession of a false passport and possession of a false passport with improper intent. However, Cardiff Crown Court formally recorded not guilty verdicts on those charges after Wallis pleaded guilty to a newly introduced offence under the Computer Misuse Act.
The former Bridgend MP, who served from 2019 to 2024, was handed a nine-month conditional discharge. Prosecutor Richard Posner told the court that Wallis had a “recognised gambling problem” and had previously sought to address it by registering with the Gamstop self-exclusion system.
The court heard that in April 2022, while experiencing what was described as “acute psychiatric distress”, Wallis digitally altered the date on an image of her own passport using her personal computer in order to open access to an online gambling platform. It was stated that Wallis possessed a legitimate physical passport that had “not been altered or tampered with” and had not “attempted to use an image of anyone else”.
The hearing was told that Wallis deposited money into the gambling account and subsequently lost it, although no third party suffered any financial loss as a result of the incident. According to the prosecution, the offence was an isolated event and was carried out on an “impulse”. Since then, Wallis has again registered to block access to gambling websites.
The court also heard that, at the time of the offence, Wallis was suffering from a “serious mental disorder”. The circumstances outlined included coming out as transgender while serving as an MP, becoming separated from family members and publicly revealing that she had been the victim of rape.
Posner said Wallis had worked with the prosecution to bring the case to a resolution. Sentencing, Judge Shomon Khan said he accepted that the offence had been a “single impulsive” act committed during a “period of psychological distress”. He also noted that Wallis had presented “compelling personal mitigation”.
FAQs
Why did Katie Wallis alter a passport image?
The court heard that Wallis altered the date on an image of her own passport to gain access to an online gambling website after having registered with Gamstop.
What charges did Katie Wallis plead guilty to?
Wallis pleaded guilty to a newly introduced offence under the Computer Misuse Act. More serious charges relating to possession of a false passport were dropped.
Did the case involve a fake passport?
The prosecution said Wallis possessed a genuine physical passport that had not been altered and did not attempt to use another person’s identity.
What sentence did the court impose?
Cardiff Crown Court imposed a nine-month conditional discharge after accepting that the offence was a single impulsive act committed during a period of psychological distress.
