Alyson Perrett, 61, from Aberbargoed in Caerphilly county, has pleaded guilty to defrauding families of £9,715 through fake caravan and lodge holiday bookings at Trecco Bay in Porthcawl. The case, which came to court three years after WalesOnline first exposed her practices, saw Perrett admit nine counts of fraud at Newport magistrates' court. She is due to be sentenced later in July 2026.
Details of the Fraud
Between January 2022 and September 2023, Perrett offered caravan and lodge holidays at the popular Welsh resort, taking deposits and full payments from victims despite having no authority to make bookings. Prosecutor Jemma Guy told the court that a number of different victims were defrauded of a total of £9,715. Perrett, of Rockleigh Avenue in Aberbargoed, admitted lying that she was authorised to take bookings and pocketing the money.
Victims' Ordeal
Furious holidaymakers previously told WalesOnline how Perrett failed to inform them that their bookings were cancelled or provide refunds. Some families booked stays months in advance only to learn the day before their planned holiday that no caravan had been reserved. In some cases, customers only discovered they had no booking after seeing dozens of others complaining about Perrett on Facebook. Some claimed she had blocked their messages.
"How can anyone sleep at night holding a 76-year-old disabled lady's money and leaving her with no holiday?" said one affected family at the time.
Perrett's Excuses
When WalesOnline first contacted Perrett in 2023, she claimed she had moved houses and was staying in a Travelodge for four and a half months, which affected her bookings. She said she had lost interest because she was waiting to be rehoused and everything was upside down. Perrett, who did not own any caravans, added that she was paid a commission by owners for finding guests and collecting rent. She repeatedly vowed to refund all those affected and insisted she was not a scammer, saying she had talked to victims and even visited two people's houses.
After WalesOnline's report was published, she phoned the newsroom and yelled: "Why don't you get your story right before you publish anything? All you do is report, report, report. You don't get the right stuff."
Court Appearance
Three years on, when approached outside court, Perrett refused to answer whether she had paid anyone back or even whether she was sorry for the fraud. Parkdean Resorts, which owns Trecco Bay, had previously urged people to book their stay through its own channels or trusted partners. The company noted that owners had the option to let out holiday homes through the company's scheme or privately.
