A WOMAN cleared out her parents’ bank accounts and maxed out their credit cards while they took the trip of a lifetime across Europe, a court has heard.

Melissa Humphreys is said to have defrauded her parents out of £179,000 after they sold their home and left her in charge of their finances.

In total, she faces 17 charges, including numerous counts of fraud by abuse of position, obtaining property by deception and theft.

The 33-year-old appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Barry Hargreaves, prosecuting, told magistrates victims Elizabeth and Terence Fordham are now in a “dreadful financial position”.

He described how in 2006, the retired couple sold their property and bought a motor home before going travelling around Europe.

Mr Hargreaves said at the time Humphreys, of Hutley Drive, Colchester, was left responsible for her parents’ credit cards and bank accounts but the accounts were later emptied and their credit cards maxed out.

The bench heard new credit cards were also taken out in their name without the couple’s consent.

Mr Hargreaves added: “They discovered in 2010 things began going wrong and they couldn’t get money out.

“Eventually it transpires that the accounts had no money in them.

“Credit cards were maxed out and they had to borrow money from a relative to get back to the UK.

“Their dreams have been shattered by these offences. They have been left in a dreadful financial position.”

Humphreys did not enter a plea to any of the charges during yesterday’s short hearing and no further representation was given on her behalf.

However, Mr Hargreaves said she disputes a number of the alleged transactions.

Magistrates’ refused jurisdiction over the case and ordered Humphreys to appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court in August.