THERE were tears in court as a thief who stole more than £120,000 from her lover was jailed for two and a half years.

Amanda Wood, 55, of Wiveliscombe Road, Preston Bowyer, near Milverton, appeared in the dock at Taunton Crown Court today (April 18) after she admitted to stealing £122,500 from her lover, who she met on a dating website in November 2013.

Prosecuting, William Hunter, said Wood moved into a cottage with the victim, Helen Stevenson, at the beginning of 2014 after dating her for a number of months.

He said Wood claimed she owned a half share of the cottage and a trust fund and she offered Ms Stevenson the chance to buy her half share for £137,000.

The victim, who had already lent Wood £15,000, trusted Wood and made out cheques for £120,000 and gave her £500 in cash so she could buy the share of the cottage.

But a few weeks after the money was handed over Wood claimed there were delays in the purchase as the construction of an outbuilding was outstanding.

Mr Hunter said the victim continued to trust Wood but their relationship began to falter and she moved out of the property in 2016.

He said: "Ms Stevenson thought when she moved out that something was up.

"Then it emerged the property belonged to a couple and not to Amanda Wood.

"She had spent the money and had no trust fund, it was a lie."

Mr Hunter then read a victim impact statement from Ms Stevenson and said she felt 'numb' when she discovered what Wood had done.

"Meeting Amanda was so wonderful, I loved and trusted her implicitly," Ms Stevenson said.

"I thought we were building a life together, I can't get my head around it.

"The hurt she caused me has taken a long time to dissipate and I don't think it is something I will ever fully forget."

In her statement Ms Stevenson said she feels 'betrayed' by Wood and now has to work for longer than she thought so she can afford to retire.

Defending, Patrick Mason, said Wood has suffered from mental health issues for a number of years due to the death of her mother and was making a real effort to buy the cottage from its existing owners.

"She formed a genuine relationship with Ms Stevenson," Mr Mason said.

"Ms Stevenson parted with her money and trusted Wood, it was sadly a terrible mistake on her part and Ms Wood made terrible mistakes of her own."

Mr Mason said Wood spent the money on shared items including two campervans which were later sold.

"She got herself into a she couldn't get out of," Mr Mason said.

"She does feel sorry about having done this and putting her and her partner in this position.

"Wood will never really own anything again ever again, she is struggling to keep her head above water."

When sentencing Wood, Judge David Ticehurst, said: "Helen Stevenson trusted you.

"You stole £122,500 and in my judgement you carefully planned to extract that money.

"It was a deliberate act to deprive her of her life savings.

"It was devastating emotionally and financially for Ms Stevenson."

Judge Ticehurst sentenced Wood to two and a half years in prison with a Proceeds of Crime hearing to try and claw back some of the money she stole.

There were tears in the public gallery as she was taken into custody.