A woman who fleeced her husband out of almost £50,000 to fund an online scam with her ‘American boyfriend’ has narrowly avoided prison.

Grandmother Patricia Passman spent two years draining the personal and business accounts of her husband Timothy to invest in a fake business and to buy Amazon vouchers to send to her scammer.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 59-year-old was only found out when her daughter heard people gossiping about a woman withdrawing large sums of cash on a regular basis and she recognised the woman as her mother.

Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said Passman’s husband contacted his bank and blocked access to both of his accounts.

Miss Haigh said the defendant had taken £22,650 from one account and a further £24,050 from another leaving her husband facing debts and a huge tax bill as their 40-year marriage collapsed.

She said that Tim Passman's family have stayed with him in his home after their mother’s scam was revealed as they were concerned about his wellbeing. When he tried to return to work, he was sent home early from a meeting in Germany.

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The court heard how the defendant had a number of previous convictions for drug and theft offences but had been out of trouble for two decades.

Passman, of Coatham Road, Redcar, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft between January 6, 2019, and January 27, 2021, when he behaviour first came to light.

Tom Bennett, in mitigation, said his client was ‘ashamed and embarrassed’ by her behaviour and added that she was ‘naive and not streetwise’. He said Passman was also now trying to rebuild her relationship with her children.

He added: “She herself was exploited herself, having fallen victim to an online scam.”

Recorder Jamie Hill QC sentenced Passman to 18 months in custody, suspended for two years.

He said: “Over two years you stole £46,700 from two accounts - one in your husband's name and one was his business account.

“It seems you thought you were engaged in a relationship with somebody in America. In fact, you were involved in a scam.

“It seems you were living in some sort of bubble. You took your husband's financial welfare from him. This has clearly had a devastating impact on your husband - who is 66.

“He has gone from financial security to dealing with debt. I accept you may have been naive and that you have shown remorse."

Passman was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

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