A CHRONIC lonely hearts fraudster who used a personal ad to deceive and later swindle more than $120,000 from an elderly man claims she is "totally ashamed" of herself.
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Susan Diane Reed, now 66, a scammer who has used the same modus operandi to defraud multiple men over more than 20 years wept in Newcastle District Court on Monday as she detailed the shame she felt and outlined why prison health services are ill-equipped to treat her many serious health conditions.
"I am totally ashamed of myself... I should have known better," Reed said when asked how she felt about the most recent fraud.
The personal ad in the newspaper read: "Lonely Lady, recently widowed seeking companionship, honest, loving and loyal".
And when a 74-year-old recently widowed victim read those words he felt compelled to write a letter to the woman to let her know he could empathise.
Unfortunately, the woman he reached out to in the hope of forming some bond or connection with was Reed, a lonely heart scammer who in 2005 was jailed for more than five years for convincing elderly men to send her more than $135,000. And Reed was using the same MO.
Within a year of writing that first letter the victim would send Reed more than $120,000 - money she said she needed for holidays, deposits on houses, cars, furniture and Christmas presents.
Reed told him she was expecting a $1.6 million insurance payout in relation to the death of her second husband and would pay him back.
But there was no settlement and Reed has not repaid him a cent.
The 66-year-old, who is represented by barrister John Booth and solicitor Mark Ramsland, has pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and has been behind bars since February.
But Reed, who suffers from a long list of serious conditions and ailments, including Parkinson's disease, diabetes and hypertension, claims that the treatment she was receiving in the community is at least 50 per cent better than she is getting in jail.
"I know I am at fault for being here," Reed said. "[When I was at home] my health needs were being taken care of 100 per cent. What I am getting here is probably around 50 per cent."
Reed was due to be jailed on Monday, but the matter was delayed after Reed gave evidence that contradicted a report from Justice Health - the network that provides health services for those in jail - about the level of care she can receive behind bars.
Judge Tim Gartelmann, SC, adjourned the matter until Friday, when it is expected Reed will be sentenced.
I am totally ashamed of myself... I should have known better.
- Susan Diane Reed - a "chronic" lonely heart scammer - said in Newcastle District Court on Friday.