Grandfather accused of stealing fundraising money meant for his late daughter's cancer treatment appears in court
A grandfather accused of stealing money set aside for his late daughter's terminal cancer treatment has appeared in court.
Mark Davis, 51, from Newport, was charged with defrauding mother-of-two India Davis, known as India Skinner by the time of her death.
It is claimed he left her £4,059.27 out of pocket while acting as the administrator of a GoFundMe account which raised thousands of pounds in 2021.
Davis, of Fleetwood Close, denies the charge and will stand trial on April 21 next year. He was granted bail until then by Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke.
The defendant was represented by Jac Brown, with Tom Roberts prosecuting during the brief hearing at Cardiff Crown Court.
Ms Davis, also from Newport, died aged 24 in 2022 after the ovarian cancer she was told had a ten percent chance of returning came back and became terminal.
She was described as 'strong' and 'loving' by her family.
Speaking to WalesOnline last summer, Ms Davis explained she first started feeling pains in her left leg and pelvis while pregnant with her eldest daughter Harper.
A 'desperate attempt to prolong her life' raised £6000 for specialist treatment, but to no avail as it did not work, it was reported at the time.
Following her death, a GoFundme page was then set up by Ms Davis's widower Jason Skinner and his sister Samantha.
It read: 'We are fundraising for my brother Jason to help plan the perfect send off for his beautiful wife India who sadly passed away.
'Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and thank you for donating. It really means a lot to Jason and the family.'
Ms Davis died at the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran surrounded by her husband and her family.
Samantha Skinner said: 'Our family is devastated by the loss of India. She was a strong character, and really made her mark in our family.
'Jason has been left shattered by the loss of India. She was his best friend and first love, but he is being so incredibly strong for the girls.'
Asked whether her experience had changed her outlook on life, Ms Davis said prior to her death: 'I look at the world differently now. I could never hate anyone.
'I used to say I couldn't stand people, and I regret saying that. I'd never say that now, or feel that way about anyone. Life is too short to have those feelings.
'Keep complaining, keep going to the doctors, and keep telling them what you feel is wrong. My original diagnosis was a cyst. I've had to fight for years for my cancer to be recognised.'
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