An online bingo addict has cheated her partner out of £50,000. To help fund the addiction the Catherine Duff has run up a string of debts on five credit cards. The cards were stolen from her partner of 15 years, Carolyn Wilson.

Catherine Duff, from Steeles Avenue, Hyde, stole from the victim over a period of four years while living at her home in Sale Road, Northern Moor, Wythenshawe. She first began using Miss Wilson’s credit cards in 2003. She managed to keep it from the victim for the four years by by intercepting the mail while her partner, a shift worker, slept.

The court was told that the defendant stole Halifax, MBNA, Abbey National and RMT credit cards and an Argos store card belonging to Miss Wilson. In addition she acquired a Sainsbury’s credit card in Miss Wilson’s name.

The situation became evident to Miss Wilson after a bill was sent to her daughters house and her partner was unable to intercept it. The victim then obtained a credit report which revealed all the credit card thefts, explained Tim Greenald, prosecuting.

Miss Wilson allowed Catherine Duff tostay at her home for another 18 months but rather than working to repair the damage the defendant posed as the victim taking out a £30,000 loan by remortgaging the house. She used just £17,000 to repay debts and spending the rest of the money on herself. As this the victim discovered the latest fraudulent actions she kicked Duff our and involved the police.

Duff, 45, was jailed for a year after admitting eight charges of fraud and theft at Manchester Crown Court. Miss Wilson who has to deal with debts of £53,286 commented: "I thought our relationship was built on trust and love. If Catherine was in trouble with gambling she should have told me instead of going behind my back and using my property to feed her habit."

The court was told that defendant was trapped in a vicious circle of stealing more money to gamble to try to pay off what she already owed. Rebecca Tanner, defending, stated: "The debts spiral out of control. While they have spiralled the defendant is continually trying to rectify the situation by betting small amounts of money in the hope she will be able to pay the monies back."

Judge Robert Atherton summarised: "Even with your previously good character and the plea of guilty, these circumstances are so serious only a prison sentence can be imposed."

After the hearing the victim who was in court to see her ex-partner jailed added: "I feel sick to the stomach that someone I loved and brought into my family should do this. It’s caused me and my family enormous stress and I have got to sort this mess out."

Hopefully given the money was obtained through fraud, Miss Wilson will be able to claim the majority of the money back. The credit card companies will have some obligations in the matter and no doubt a claim will be made to the online bingo sites based upon the fact Catherine Duff had a gambling problem and was in this case addicted online bingo.