‘Incorrigible fraudster’ gets 40-month jail term

‘Incorrigible fraudster’ gets 40-month jail term

22 October 2025

AN American woman, who befriended and then swindled more than £100,000 from clients, has been an “incorrigible fraudster” by a judge.

Marianne Smyth (56) with an address given as Spa Road, Ballynahinch, was jailed for 40 months at Downpatrick Crown Court.

She is to serve half the sentence in custody and half on remand, and is also set to be deported back to the US.

The former mortgage advisor was found guilty of three counts of theft and three counts of fraud by abuse of position in September.

Her victims were three married couples.

The counts included stealing more than £72,000 from one couple, £23,000 from the second couple and £20,000 from another between 2008 and 2010.

Police said the total amount she obtained was £135,000. However, some of that total was recovered.

The court heard she had used her position to earn their trust and also befriended them and socialised with them, promising an investment opportunity.

The alarm was raised after she returned to the US.

After her victims came forward to police, Smyth was arrested in the US in February 2024 before being extradited to Northern Ireland where she stood trial last month.

Smyth returned to the dock at the crown court on Friday morning.

Dark-haired and wearing a pink-coloured polo neck top and grey cardigan, she looked ahead without expression throughout the sentencing hearing.

Some of her victims sat a few feet away from her in the public gallery

A defence barrister described how his client had faced an “arduous” time on remand in custody in the US and urged that her time spent on remand abroad be deducted from her sentence.

Judge Sandra Crawford said she had been moved by personal statements from Smyth’s victims, commenting it was clear that they had been affected profoundly, not just financially but also by the dishonesty.

She also paid tribute to the victims’ stoicism and dignity as they attended court during the trial last month.

The court also heard that Smyth had not received any visits, either in person or virtual, during her period in custody on remand at Hydebank Prison.

Judge Crawford said Smyth continued to deny responsibility and showed little to no insight to the impact of her offending.

She said that having duped her victims, Smyth’s culpability was high and she had caused substantial harm, over and above the financial loss.

The judge told Smyth: “It is clear from the evidence presented at trial that you are a skilled fraudster, practised in inveigling yourself in the lives and financial affairs of others, expert in deception and indifferent to whether the victims are friends or strangers.”

During the four-day trial the jury heard how Smyth took money from the complainants on the pretence of either using it to buy a house or to invest it into high interest accounts, only to keep the money for herself.

One of the victims was former Derry GAA star Dermot McNicholl, who said he and his wife handed over a £67,750 cheque for a house they would never see.

He said: “She came across as being very trustworthy, we put all our faith in her.”

Mr McNicholl, a member of Derry’s 1993 All-Ireland winning team, and his wife Ita told the court that initially they gave Smyth £5,000 as a deposit for a property in Belfast.

Smyth, the jury heard, told them she had “an even better deal” on a house in Newcastle, and that it was fortunate because it had sitting tenants and she owned the property next door.

Having been given the cheque for £67,750, the fraudster told them she could collect the rent for them.

To support her lies, Smyth concocted an “entirely fictitious” bill of sale and rental agreement, and even paid for several months’ rent from her own account.

Mrs McNicholl told the jury that after Smyth had fled across the Atlantic, they went to the house and found it was devoid of furniture.

Smyth had even had her pet dogs euthanised before she left the jurisdiction.

The McNicholls also recovered copies of the bogus documents still in Smyth’s bin.

Another victim, Shona Reid, lost £23,000. The jury heard how she and her husband considered Smyth a friend, socialised with her and allowed her daughter to babysit their children.

Having arranged an “equity release mortgage” for them, Smyth said she would invest the money in a high-interest account.

But in May 2009, when they asked for some of it back, Smyth told them “she would need more time”.

Then she claimed the money “had been paid into someone else’s account”, and finally told them “she was going to the States for eight days and would deal with it later”.

Mrs Reid told the jury they never heard from her again, and nor did they see any of their money.

The last two complainants, James and Imelda Savage, had written a £20,000 cheque to Smyth, who said she would invest it in a high-interest account.

Like Mrs Reid, they never saw or heard from her again.

Speaking outside the court on Friday, Detective Constable Mark Anderson said: “Today’s sentencing is the result of a complex investigation conducted by detectives and financial investigators with support from law enforcement partners in the United States.

“To this day, Smyth denies all responsibility for her crimes. She now faces deportation back to the United States.

“Her victims have waited a long time to see justice served, and we want to thank them for their patience and cooperation with our investigation. Sadly, one of her victims died before court proceedings concluded and our thoughts are with their family today.

He continued: “Fraud is a crime which has a profound emotional impact on its victims, in addition to the long-term financial consequences.

“Smyth targeted the savings of innocent people, some of whom considered her a friend, and acted with no thought for the long-lasting trauma she caused through her deception. Her only concern was to line her own pockets.

“Today’s sentence should send a clear message to those involved in scamming hard-working people that they will be vigorously pursued and brought before the courts to face the consequences of their actions, no matter how long it takes.”

Detective Constable Anderson added: “We would encourage anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a similar crime to come forward.

We know that some victims may feel that there is a stigma attached to falling for this type of scam, but we can assure you that devious criminals such as Smyth go to great lengths to appear plausible in order to get their hands on your money.

“We will listen to you without judgement, and do all we can to help – the only person who has done something wrong is the criminal, and the best way to fight back against fraud is to report to police.”