Woman made up child to extort thousands from unwitting man who she pretended was the father

Chelsea Roberts’ 'fictitious and malicious web of lies caused serious emotional and financial harm'

The court of appeal ruled Roberts’ initial sentence from Hull Crown Court of four months behind bars was too lenient (Reuters)

A woman lied about the existence of a child to extort thousands of pounds from a man who drove himself into debt to meet her demands, the Court of Appeal has heard.

Chelsea Roberts told her victim they had conceived together, before requesting the money for an abortion.

The 26-year-old then went on to ask for more for missed and cancelled abortion appointments, before lying about having given birth.

After convincing the man who has not been named, that he was a father, she told him the baby was sick and needed even more money.

This was required to support the child's adoption, before she eventually claimed that it had died and needed money for the funeral.

Carrying on the lies for almost a year, the court heard that she fleeced around £29,000 from the victim.

He was left in serious debt after using up all of his savings and taking out several loans.

When he asked for proof or refused to pay, Roberts threatened to tell his girlfriend and family of their relationship.

She also threatened to accuse the victim of rape.

The court of appeal ruled Roberts’ initial sentence from Hull Crown Court of four months behind bars was too lenient – and increased her punishment to a sentence of 2 years’ imprisonment, suspended for 2 years.

The Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, who referred the case to the court, said: “Roberts’ fictitious and malicious web of lies caused serious emotional and financial harm to the victim.

“It is therefore right that her sentence be increased to reflect the amount of harm caused," he said.