An Eltham woman has been convicted of fraud after selling fake tickets to Disneyland Paris.

Ellie Catchesides, 28, of Sparrows Lane, sold tickets to Disneyland to people who thought of her as their friend.

The mother-of-three had told the families she couldn’t attend a non-existent trip to Disneyland and she would give them the tickets at a reduced price.

Jade Miller was one of the victims of Catchesides’ fraudulent schemes, giving her £950 for the tickets only to find out later they were fake.

Upon discovering she had been scammed, Ms Miller helped collect the evidence that led to Catchesides’ conviction.

Ms Miller said: “At first my friend thought it was just me it happened to but upon looking further into it I have found that I am not alone.

“On one occasion a family turned up on the day ready to travel to Disneyland with children in tow to discover the heart-breaking truth.”

A Facebook campaign group and JustGiving page were set up for victims of her fraud so they could seek support and share information on the scam.

Catchesides originally appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court on February 21 charged with five counts of fraud.

She originally indicated she would plea not guilty, but when she appeared at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday, March 21, she pleaded guilty.

Catchsides was sentenced to 140 hours unpaid community service.

Catchesides said she has been afraid to go outside her own home and will potentially have to move away from Eltham as a result of the case.