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Jail for lonely-hearts conwoman Jail for lonely-hearts conwoman
(about 8 hours later)
A woman who conned tens of thousands of pounds from men she met through newspaper and internet dating sites has been jailed for two years.A woman who conned tens of thousands of pounds from men she met through newspaper and internet dating sites has been jailed for two years.
Emma Golightly, from Meadowfield Gardens in Walkerville, Newcastle, claimed to be a wealthy businesswoman. Emma Golightly, from Newcastle, claimed to be a wealthy businesswoman.
The 22-year-old, who even convinced one man she had cancer so he would marry her, used her victims' credit cards to fund her lavish lifestyle.The 22-year-old, who even convinced one man she had cancer so he would marry her, used her victims' credit cards to fund her lavish lifestyle.
She was jailed after admitting theft and obtaining property by deception. She was jailed by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting theft and obtaining property by deception.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that her 18-month crime spree included more than 80 offences and was worth £254,000. The court heard her 18-month crime spree included more than 80 offences and was worth £254,000.
The cash was spent on holidays, fast cars, shoes and beauty treatments.The cash was spent on holidays, fast cars, shoes and beauty treatments.
Lavish giftsLavish gifts
Golightly told one of the men that she had terminal cancer and did not want to die an unmarried woman. Golightly told one of the men she had terminal cancer and did not want to die an unmarried woman.
This is not the usual case that comes before the crown court of someone simply stealing to fund themselves a lavish lifestyle Peter SchofieldDefence counsel
She then took him on an £8,000 honeymoon, which he was unaware was paid for using his credit card.She then took him on an £8,000 honeymoon, which he was unaware was paid for using his credit card.
A year later, she arranged another wedding with another man, and again paid for it with his credit card without his knowledge, the court heard. A year later, she arranged another wedding with another man, and again paid for it with his credit card without his knowledge.
Judge David Wood told Golightly: "Over a period of quite a long time you befriended a number of men and pretended to them you were rich, terminally ill and in need of a husband.Judge David Wood told Golightly: "Over a period of quite a long time you befriended a number of men and pretended to them you were rich, terminally ill and in need of a husband.
"You encouraged them by offering lavish gifts whilst all the time you had stolen their cheque books or credit cards and were using them for your own advantage.""You encouraged them by offering lavish gifts whilst all the time you had stolen their cheque books or credit cards and were using them for your own advantage."
He accepted that she was suffering from a personality disorder but said the offences of theft, deception and attempted deception were so serious that only custody could be justified. Personality disorder
Defending Golightly, Peter Schofield said she and her family were struggling to come to terms with the death of her younger brother in December.
"This is not the usual case that comes before the crown court of someone simply stealing to fund themselves a lavish lifestyle."
Mr Schofield said Golightly was suffering from a "long-term and complex personality disorder" that would "take a great deal of professional intervention to improve".
The judge accepted the defence's mitigation, but said the offences were so serious only custody could be justified.
Golightly, who broke down in tears several times during the hearing, had pleaded guilty to 17 offences, including theft, deception and attempted deception.