WOMAN WHO SPENT 15 YEARS EMOTIONALLY TORMENTING HER FRIEND JAILED FOR STALKING AND FRAUD
A woman named Claire Gilbert, residing in Blackley, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to stalking and four counts of fraud.Gilbert deceived a woman she considered her best friend by fabricating a complex web of lies over nearly 15 years.
She posed as a man named Carl Murphy and created a fictitious daughter for him, along with other fake family members, to manipulate and emotionally torment the victim.
The victim believed she was in a real relationship with Carl and was convinced of various tragic incidents involving his supposed family, including attempts at suicide, death, and severe illness, all orchestrated by Gilbert.
Gilbert also claimed she had been abused, kidnapped, beaten, raped, and was dying, which she later admitted were lies.
Her deception extended to sending sexual texts, giving gifts, and incurring debts using the victim’s personal details without permission.
Police found a voice-changing app, fake stories, and a letter from the victim during a raid on her home.
The victim stated in court: "I discovered the last 15 years of my life were a fabrication and I was living a lie.
Claire was my best friend.
She told me she had been abused, raped and beaten.
All of this was a lie and I believed her.
She took 15 years away from me.
For 15 years I was catfished, lied to and psychologically tortured.
It wasn't just a lie, it was the abuse of my future, my finances and my life." Gilbert had previously joined the victim’s cleaning business in 2005 and became close friends.
She then convinced the victim she was escaping an abusive relationship, and later created a fake online relationship through Facebook with a persona called Carl Murphy, claiming he was in prison.
As the scheme progressed, Gilbert manipulated the victim by introducing her to fake family members, lying about serious incidents, and falsely claiming she was in danger or unwell herself.
She also lied about being kidnapped, beaten, raped, and dying, all falsehoods.
The victim paid £500 for a fictional 'Katie' to go on a school trip, and provided money and gifts to the fake family.
In 2017, she found out about the deception when she discovered messages from 'Carl' on Facebook and other evidence of fabrications and fraud.
Gilbert's actions caused severe psychological harm, breakdowns, and financial loss to the victim, who had to move in with her sister due to the distress.
The court heard Gilbert had been diagnosed with a complex mental disorder and used excessive cannabis to control anxiety, but her defense acknowledged that mental health issues did not excuse her behavior.
Judge Bernadette Baxter described her conduct as 'wicked' and emphasized the high level of planning involved, noting she showed no remorse or insight.
Gilbert was sentenced to three years in prison and was placed under an indefinite restraining order to prevent her from contacting the victim.
