AMIE FORD – NEWCASTLE

Woman admits conning partner out of thousands in year-long fraud

A woman who conned her former partner out of thousands of pounds by taking out loans in his name and transferring money from his bank account has admitted fraud.

Amie Ford, 30, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, where she pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation relating to offences committed between October 2017 and September 2018.

The court heard that Ford, of Mortimer Avenue, Westerhope, originally met the victim through Tinder before carrying out a year-long campaign of deception which left him thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Prosecutor Brian Payne said Ford fraudulently took out bank loans, payday loans and a £1,500 Cashpoint loan in the victim’s name. She also opened a mobile phone contract using his details and transferred money from his bank account into her own.

To prevent the victim from discovering the fraud, Ford impersonated a firm of solicitors, three banks, Northumbria Police and even one of her own family members.

Mr Payne told the court the elaborate deception was designed to manipulate the complainant into believing he was dealing with legitimate organisations while allowing Ford to continue concealing her offending.

Although the offences took place almost eight years ago, the fraud eventually unravelled, leading to Ford’s arrest and prosecution.

Defending, Paul Oxnard said Ford had no previous convictions and had entered a guilty plea at the first opportunity. He told the court he intended to seek psychiatric reports relating to her mental health ahead of sentencing.

District Judge Kate Meek committed the case to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence, telling Ford she would receive credit for her early guilty plea.

Granting her bail, the judge ordered Ford to maintain a correspondence address and co-operate with the Probation Service in preparing a pre-sentence report, which will assist the court in deciding the appropriate sentence.

Ford is due to appear before Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on 26 August.