Linda Donaldson was unaware that husband Fraser had taken out two loans on the house they shared until debt collectors arrived at the door.
The Daily Express reports today that the failed businessman now faces jail after conning lender Birmingham Midshires into remortgaging the four-bedroom bungalow in Newbigging, Angus.
The couple met in 1997 when Mrs Donaldson was a wealthy widow with a house, new car and healthy bank account.
Now, she lives on a caravan park near Carnoustie and has been forced to sell jewellery and heirlooms to make ends meet.
Mrs Donaldson said yesterday: “I lost the man I loved. I loved him and trusted him and this will haunt me for ever. How am I supposed to trust anybody ever again?
“Although he is paying alimony, that was only awarded in March, so up until then I had to fend for myself.”
Mrs Donaldson faces a lengthy battle to claw back some of the thousands lost.
Her husband’s fraud emerged during a hearing at Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday. The 54-year-old, now living in Edinburgh, admitted obtaining a remortgage worth £120,000 by fraud.
Sheriff Peter Paterson told Fraser he faced a jail term but deferred sentence until October to monitor repayments.
The sheriff said: “This was a substantial amount of money and you have caused your wife long-term financial suffering. I make no bargain with you at all, this is a test to see if you are making the payments.”
