A WOMAN has admitted stealing £179,000 from her parents over several months as well as a string of fraud offences dating to 2006.

Melissa Humphreys abused her parents’ trust when they left their finances in her hands after selling their home and taking a trip of a lifetime.

She appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court where she admitted 12 counts of fraud using MBNA credit cards, and one count of obtaining property by deception, using the same type of card, in 2006.

Judge Emma Peters said: “Given the breach of trust here and the extended period of dishonesty, and the terrible fact that her victims were her parents, is clearly an aggravating factor in my view.”

The criminal investigation began between four and five years ago when the married couple became unable to withdraw cash from their bank accounts.

Christopher Baxton, prosecuting, explained the total figure could reach £200,000.

Humphreys denied a further three charges of obtaining property by deception, for which Mr Baxton said there will be no trial.

He added Humphreys, 33, was of previous good character.

Steven Levy, defending, called for an eight-week adjournment for a psychiatric report to be written.

He said: “Clearly this matter was not one that was easy to assimilate because of the age of some of the offences and the defendant’s parents went away some time ago.

“That has had a big impact on her, and her mental health.”

In summing up, Judge Peters, said: “You’ve pleaded guilty to most of these offences and stolen tens of thousands of pounds from your parents, just short of £200,000.

“ I don’t want you to be under any doubt at all that the most immediate sentence will be one of custody.”

She added: “Bail is no indication of the sentence you might receive.”

Judge Peters added conditions to Humphreys’ previous unconditional bail until November when she is next due at Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing.

She must reside at her home address in Hutley Drive, Colchester, and surrender her passport to Colchester police station.