Darcey Reid, 23, appeared at Belfast Magistrate Court on Wednesday, November 5
A Belfast woman allegedly conned her family out of more than £80,000 by pretending she was critically ill and needed private medical treatment, a court heard today.
Darcey Reid’s parents lost their entire life savings in a “vicious lie” which involved her faking emails from a doctor to secure the financial handouts, a judge was told.
Police said the 23-year-old admitted spending most of the money on alcohol and gifts for a partner.
Reid, currently of no fixed abode, has been charged with five counts of fraud by false representation and further domestic abuse charges.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard she allegedly duped her mother and father over a nine-month period between January and October this year.
Using an email address from a private hospital, she initially asked them for £250 and claimed it was to cover a private healthcare consultation for a serious illness.
Once her parents willingly agreed it “snowballed” into a series of requests for more money.
Further funds were also provided by other members of her extended family as Reid claimed to be sick, according to police.
An investigating officer disclosed that £82,500 was handed over in total.
“The defendant’s parents spent either their life savings to pay for the treatments,” she said.
“It was a prolonged and vicious lie, robbing them of their retirement fund and money they have no way of recouping.”
District Judge Steven Keown was told Reid’s father is now working up to 60 hours a week in a bid to recover financially.
The alleged scam was discovered after the family tried to secure a bank loan, putting themselves in debt to fund further treatment.
They contacted the private hospital for a breakdown of what had already been paid but were informed that Reid was not a patient at the facilities.
When arrested on Tuesday her accommodation was described as being in a state of complete disarray.
“Obviously she is not spending the money on any lavish lifestyle,” the officer said.
“She made admissions to all the offences, stating that over £80,000 had been spent on alcohol and items for her partner.”
Based on how Reid allegedly used manipulative tactics to obtain money from her mother and father, she is also facing prosecution for domestic abuse.
The court heard police wanted to further charge her with falsely pretending to be a doctor.
Opposing bail, police stressed the reasons for Reid’s behaviour remained unknown.
“The parents were doing this all for the love of their daughter, they have tried to reason and find out what is going on with her,” the officer added.
Defence counsel confirmed Reid has made admissions and linked her actions to being in a violent relationship with an alcoholic.
“She says that she was scared of (the man),” the barrister submitted.
Judge Keown granted bail for Reid to live at an address which must be approved by police.
Adjourning the case until December 3, he ordered: “She is to have no contact with either of her parents (or other named relatives).”
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