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Lonely-hearts fleecer avoids jail Lonely-hearts fleecer avoids jail
(about 5 hours later)
A woman who conned up to £100,000 from men she targeted through lonely-hearts adverts has avoided jail.A woman who conned up to £100,000 from men she targeted through lonely-hearts adverts has avoided jail.
Lorraine Upritchard, 49, of Stanley Grove, Croydon, was sentenced to an 18-month community order at Lewes Crown Court on Friday.Lorraine Upritchard, 49, of Stanley Grove, Croydon, was sentenced to an 18-month community order at Lewes Crown Court on Friday.
She was also ordered to pay back Leonard Hesling, of Eastbourne, East Sussex, £2,200 she swindled from him.She was also ordered to pay back Leonard Hesling, of Eastbourne, East Sussex, £2,200 she swindled from him.
The widower reported her in August 2006. Police say her other victims were too embarrassed to come forward.The widower reported her in August 2006. Police say her other victims were too embarrassed to come forward.
Mr Hesling, 67, who hired a private deceive after she failed to honour two IOUs, described Upritchard as an "evil woman" as he left the court. Mr Hesling, 67, who hired a private detective after she failed to honour two IOUs, described Upritchard as an "evil woman" as he left the court.
'Scheme to deceive''Scheme to deceive'
Sussex Police said she kept a file of potential victims.Sussex Police said she kept a file of potential victims.
Her lonely-heart advert read: "Lovely, bubbly attractive blonde widow, 50, seeking mature gents aged 60-70 for caring relationships."Her lonely-heart advert read: "Lovely, bubbly attractive blonde widow, 50, seeking mature gents aged 60-70 for caring relationships."
Det Con Gary Barker said: "She would always have a story, something like her mum was ill and she needed money for her.Det Con Gary Barker said: "She would always have a story, something like her mum was ill and she needed money for her.
Leonard Hesling reported her after realising he had been duped."She was playing on their vulnerability, she conned them out of at least £20,000 that we know of but it could be five time that much."Leonard Hesling reported her after realising he had been duped."She was playing on their vulnerability, she conned them out of at least £20,000 that we know of but it could be five time that much."
Upritchard admitted to one count of obtaining property by deception and failing to surrender to the court at a previous hearing.Upritchard admitted to one count of obtaining property by deception and failing to surrender to the court at a previous hearing.
Judge Richard Brown DL told her: "You frankly admitted that you embarked on a scheme to deceive a lonely and vulnerable older man into thinking you were a widow and you were genuinely seeking a relationship.Judge Richard Brown DL told her: "You frankly admitted that you embarked on a scheme to deceive a lonely and vulnerable older man into thinking you were a widow and you were genuinely seeking a relationship.
"In fact your real plan was to dishonestly obtain what money you could from Mr Hesling, a lonely 67-year-old widower. He was duped by you into paying out £2,200."In fact your real plan was to dishonestly obtain what money you could from Mr Hesling, a lonely 67-year-old widower. He was duped by you into paying out £2,200.
"The fact that you claimed to hate all men does not provide you with any excuse.""The fact that you claimed to hate all men does not provide you with any excuse."
The court was told Upritchard had no savings and intended to live with her stepmother and search for work.The court was told Upritchard had no savings and intended to live with her stepmother and search for work.