MICHAEL Fisher who left holidaymakers out of pocket is a convicted conman who has heaped shame on his familyFisher featured on the front page of The Star as the man behind Golden Sands Holidays Limited based at Beehive Lane in Chelmsford, which left hundreds of holidaymakers including Ipswich mum Mandy Carter without their dream break.

By Amanda Cresswell

MICHAEL Fisher who left holidaymakers out of pocket is a convicted conman who has heaped shame on his family

Fisher featured on the front page of The Star as the man behind Golden Sands Holidays Limited based at Beehive Lane in Chelmsford, which left hundreds of holidaymakers including Ipswich mum Mandy Carter without their dream break.

But we have discovered his murky past.

He was exposed as a trickster in this newspaper in 1996 after pretending to raise money for The Evening Star "Save Our Angel Appeal."

Fisher was jailed for 18 months at Ipswich Crown Court after he claimed to be organising a raffle and auction to help fund a specialist nurse for children suffering from cancer.

His mother, Wendy, who lives near Lakeside Road in Ipswich has not seen her son since they argued more than a month ago and did not expect to see him again.

"I am just very disappointed," she said. "It has caused shame and embarrassment to us.

"We had a blazing row about a month ago to six weeks ago and I haven't seen him since. Now I know why. I read about it in The Star.

"He seems to be in a lot of trouble."

Fisher, then living in Maidenhall Approach, Ipswich, was jailed in 1996 after admitting 20 offences of deception. He asked for 53 offences to be considered. Prosecutor Cranston Morris told the court the total amount involved in the case was £10,000.

Roderick Newton, for Fisher, then 27, said his client was living in cloud cuckoo land and lived in a fantasy world.

He said Fisher had apologised for what he had done but felt he would do the same again if he didn't receive treatment for a personality disorder.

Asked about her son's past conviction his mother said: "We helped him over that, but not any more."

She added: "I just don't want to get involved."

Asked how she felt towards Michael – whether she still loved him or felt angry with him – she said: "I don't feel anything."

Mr Fisher was living in a rented property in Trotwood Close, Chelmsford, until recently. His mother had no idea where he was residing now.

Holidaymaker Mrs Carter contacted The Star after she lost £200 after paying for a caravan break which she never received.

She discovered the day after paying for a holiday that the company had ceased operating leaving her without a holiday or her cash.

But luck changed when a kind-hearted businessman read about her plight.

The generous reader, who wished to remain anonymous, dropped cash into reception with a note saying: "I hope you enjoy your break with the enclosed £200 big ones…Thank you for allowing me to help you."

Overwhelmed with gratitude the mum of three, of Felix Road, Ipswich, wrote an open letter in response.

"On behalf of my family may I extend our heartfelt thanks for your more than generous act of kindness," she wrote.

"We had no intention of making our problem public in an effort to make any sort of gain.

"It was merely our thought that we did not wish to see people suffer such losses when they, like ourselves, could ill afford to do so.

"Once again we offer our deepest gratitude." Steve, Mandy and children Diana, Sarah and Sam Carter.

Trading standards and police are investigating.

Do you know Michael Fisher or have you paid for a holiday through Golden Sands only to find you have lost out? Contact The Evening Star on 01473 – 324792.