Spurned Preston wife commits fraud against mother-in-law after break up

A woman set up fake credit accounts in her mother-in-law's name after feeling rejected by her, a court has heard.
Magistrates' CourtMagistrates' Court
Magistrates' Court

Nicola Ditchfield, 43, set up three accounts in the name of her husband’s mother to ‘annoy them’ after the pair split up, Preston magistrates were told.

The mum, of Lancaster Road, Preston, pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud over a period between February and March last year.

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Although she had not ordered items from accounts she had set up at Next, Asos and Very, she did buy a tablet for £150 which she later sold to someone, prosecutor Adrian Hollamby said.

Defending, James Ball said: “It’s fair to say throughout the last 12 months she’s had an extremely difficult break up.

“Her perception is she has lost her family home, her children were taken from her and live with him, and despite having an excellent relationship with her mother-in -aw previously the defendant felt rejected and that she turned her back on her when she was suffering mental health problems.

“ As a result of her problems she suffered a nervous breakdown and agrophobia.

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“This all arose from the break up and to some extent she tells me she wanted to get her own back on her husband and mother-in-law.”

“She deeply regrets her actions. She is ashamed and very remorseful.”