The uncle of a boy killed by a school minibus who went door-to-door making a fake collection in his nephew 's name , has avoided jail . Neil Stokes asked people for donation to go towards flowers for the funeral of 15-year-old Ashley Talbot . However , the teen 's parents knew nothing of the £75 collection which was then pocketed by the 42-year-old recovering heroin addict . Stokes ' own mother inadvertently reported him to the police after learning someone was knocking on doors asking for money - unaware the person was in fact her son . Neil Stokes , 42 , pictured left , set up a fake collection after his nephew Ashley Talbot , 15 , pictured right , was knocked down and killed by a minibus . The 42-year-old of Porthcawl , South Wales , later handed himself in the following day and initially told officers he needed to pay off a drugs debt . However , he later changed his story saying he wanted to keep the collection a surprise for his grieving sister . Following a trial at magistrates court , he was convicted of fraudulently making false representations . Stokes ' nephew , Ashley died after he was accidentally hit by a minibus being driven by PE teacher , Chris Brooks , at Maesteg Comprehensive School , in Bridgend , just before Christmas . At the time his family described him as a 'typical teenager , a practical joker with a wicked infectious laugh ' . They said : 'He would brighten the darkest of rooms with his smile and sense of humour . Ashley will be missed so much by everyone , but will be with us forever in our memories . ' Stokes ' had previous been warned that he could face jail - but magistrates ' decided against custody after being told his sister had suffered enough already . Defending barrister David Sedgwick said : 'She is the victim in this ... .she has lost her son and now does not want to lose her brother to a jail sentence . ' After being released from custody , the court heard Stokes gave the money to his sister and the money was spent on flowers for Ashley 's funeral . Presiding magistrate Jane Thorpe said Stokes had acted dishonestly and had 'ample opportunity ' to hand over the money sooner . Ashley 's family described him as a 'typical teenager , a practical joker with a wicked infectious laugh . ' Pictured : Ashley Talbot . He was handed a 12-month community order as well as being told to pay £250 costs towards the prosecution . Speaking after the sentencing hearing Ashley 's mother , Melanie , described her brother 's 'betrayal ' as 'disgusting . ' 'The last time I saw him was when his bail restrictions were relaxed , ' said the 43-year-old . 'He came up to the house and said he wanted to apologise at Ashley 's grave . 'So I took him to the grave and he placed some flowers and said nothing . 'At that point I told my husband I did n't want him around us again . Ashley was hit by a minibus in the grounds of Maesteg Comprehensive School , Bridgend . The devastated woman discovered what her brother had been doing through friends who had generously reached into their pockets . 'He is an idiot for doing what he did , I am absolutely disgusted that he was using the money to pay for drugs , ' she said . 'Years ago I knew he was taking drugs but I thought he had been clean for a number of years . ' I have barely seen my brother since it all happened . My mother begged me to go and see her on Christmas Day , but I told her I could n't because he was there . '
Ashley Talbot,15 , died after being run over by his school minibus . His uncle went door-to-door asking people for donations towards funeral . Neil Stokes , 12 month , used the money he collected to pay off his drug debt . He was found guilty of fraud by false representation by magistrates . They sentenced Stokes to a 42 community order following trial . Ashley 's mother said she was 'disgusted ' by her brother 's 'betrayal '