East Sussex estate agent defrauded elderly woman out of £160,000
Elizabeth Smith, 52, could face up to six years in prison
An 80-year-old woman hoping to buy a property was defrauded out of £160,000 by an estate agent.
Elizabeth Smith, from Winchelsea Beach in East Sussex, could face up to six years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud.
Between May 2018 and March 2019 she defrauded the elderly woman by telling her the hefty sum would go towards a property purchase, when in fact she kept it for her own use, a court heard.
On Tuesday afternoon the 52-year-old mother appeared at Lewes Crown Court, where she admitted the charge.
Prosecutor Richard Cherrill told the court that Smith's offending was aggravated by the victim's age.
Defence barrister James Oliveira-Agnew argued that Smith - who had been due to stand trial - should be released on bail ahead of her sentencing on September 21.
He told the court she has terminal stomach cancer and also struggles with anxiety and depression.
However, Smith was remanded in custody by Recorder Alan Gardner, who also ordered a pre-sentence report.