A THIEF who befriended a vulnerable woman before stealing £105,000 from her has been ordered to repay more than £92,000.

Roseanne Oakley groomed the 68-year-old woman, who had learning difficulties, into believing she was her best friend and invited her to live with her in a caravan in Felsted.

The victim sold her home and Oakley took control of her bank account, quickly draining it of all the cash over a period of two months.

Oakley, 45, formerly of Woodland Way, Ipswich, was jailed in May 2016 after admitting one count of theft.

She is currently serving a four-and-a-half year sentence.

A hearing was held at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, April 25, where Oakley claimed the stolen money had mostly been used to fund a cocaine habit.

But the judge did not accept her explanation and declared she had obtained a criminal benefit of £105,000 from theft.

She was ordered to pay back £92,365 to the victim within three months.

If she does not, she will face a further 18 months in jail, to be served consecutively to her current sentence. The money will still need to be paid.

Detective Chief Inspector Morgan Cronin, of the Serious Economic Crime Unit, said: “Oakley manipulated a vulnerable woman and claimed to be her friend, yet stole her entire left savings and left her destitute.

“Her actions were reprehensible and callous.

“We will use legislation under the Proceeds of Crime Act to try and ensure criminals do not benefit from their offending, and that victims such as the lady in this case are given back what is rightfully theirs.”