I, too, was a victim of the sobbing young girl of whom Mrs Whitty tells.

But I was conned into giving her £30 because I felt so sorry for her and she seemed so desperate.

She told me she had been discharged from hospital after having had a miscarriage and needed £30 to secure a place in the Women's Refuge.

I gave her the money, figuring she needed it more than I did. I have seen the young lady since, giving the same performance and telling the same sob-story.

Please beware of this woman and spare your change for more genuine people.

By the way, I did investigate her story and found it to be wholly untrue.

-Name and address supplied