The long arm of the law has finally caught up with fraudster Lyn Taylor.
The con artist even forged medical letters to a court to avoid sentencing.
But now the 60-year-old has been jailed for five years three months for a series of frauds.
Leeds Crown Court heard Taylor’s case was adjourned on several occasions because of her perceived state of health. But after suspicions were aroused inquiries were made, and although one letter was found to be genuine she had faked or altered the others.
David Bradshaw prosecuting said as a result she managed to delay being sentenced for about six months.
Mr Bradshaw said her first offence of fraud came to light after the death of her husband, William on May 31, 2012 when it was discovered money had gone missing.
They had married in 1983. He had inherited about £20,000 on the death of his first wife and decided to invest it with Legal and General but after his death no money was found in the account.
Inquiries showed letters had been sent giving a new address in Mirfield instead of his home in Morley for the account contact, which purported to come from him.
He had never lived there and police investigations led to his wife from whom he was said to have become estranged and to whom under his will he had left nothing. She had taken the money out.
She was on bail for that when she committed another fraud on a woman she employed as a cleaner. Shortly after she began work Taylor claimed that the taxman had been in touch saying she owed money and would be arrested if she did not pay.
That woman in desperation borrowed money from her grandmother and gave Taylor £4,250 which the conwoman then spent. After a time the victim checked and discovered she had been told lies.
The court heard in April 2010 she was jailed for three years for fraud.
Nigel Jameson representing Taylor said she did have medical issues and had sent the letters in desperation because she did not want to go to prison again.
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Taylor, 60, formerly of Trinity Street, Batley, admitted two charges of fraud and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Jailing her the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said the second fraud in particular was a mean offence since it had caused her victim anxiety fearing she might be sent to prison.
He said the attempt to pervert justice was also serious since courts had to rely on documents being genuine when they were submitted in cases.
A confiscation order was made for £2,219 - her only savings.
