A gold-digger attracted widowers through lonely-hearts adverts and then fleeced them of their savings.

Lorraine Upritchard, 48, described herself as a "Lovely bubbly attractive blonde widow, 50, seeking mature gents aged 60-70 for caring friendships, relationships and maybe more".

She boasted of receiving more than 60 calls a day from the adverts placed in local papers across the South of England.

But the cruel conwoman was finally caught out when she tricked 67-year-old Leonard Hesling, from Eastbourne, out of £2,200.

When he realised she had disappeared with his cash, the angry widower hired a private eye to track her down then called in police.

Detectives asked him to set up a final meeting then swooped as Upritchard stood outside a supermarket.

On her arrest, she told officers she hated men and had taken the money because she was "down on her luck".

Upritchard, from Croydon, admitted two charges of deception and failing to answer her bail.

She appeared at Lewes Crown Court for sentence yesterday but the case was adjourned until June 1 while she is assessed to take part in a women's offending programme.

Mr Hesling was in court to observe the proceedings from the public gallery.

Ann Toynbee, prosecuting, told the court married Upritchard boasted of receiving more than 60 calls a day in reply to the adverts she placed in local newspapers. She kept a list of the men's names in a pink folder while marking potential victims with a drawing of a smiley face.

She would befriend them with the promise the relationship could blossom, then make up sob stories to gain their confidence and their cash.

She is believed to have pocketed at least £20,000 but police suspect the true figure could be as much as £100,000 if all the embarrassed victims came forward.

Following her arrest she was released on bail but she went on the run. She was tracked down to a room at the Hilton Hotel, in Croydon, after texting one of her victims pretending to be working there.

James Vaughan, defending, told the court: "She is not an individual who leads a habitually dishonest lifestyle.

"She placed the lonely hearts ads not to defraud and swindle but with the intention of searching for comfort and companionship from elderly men.

"She accepts that an opportunity arose in the course of a relationship with one particular man and that she took advantage of him. She is genuinely remorseful for her actions."

Did you fall victim to the charms of Upritchard? Leave your comments below or email news@theargus.co.uk.