A “MANIPULATIVE” romance fraudster who spun a web of lies to bankroll a luxury lifestyle has been jailed after conning victims out of tens of thousands of pounds.

Model Gemma Kingsley, 50, targeted men over several years, convincing them she was about to inherit a multi-million-pound fortune before persuading them to fund her lifestyle, including expensive cars, hotel stays and even a wedding that never happened.

At Swindon Crown Court, she was sentenced to seven years and seven months in prison after admitting 13 offences, including fraud and theft.

Police say Kingsley’s deception stretched back years.

In one case, she forged letters from professionals to convince a victim she was due a huge inheritance.

Believing he would be repaid, he spent tens of thousands of pounds on furniture, debts and wedding costs.

Another victim was persuaded to help fund deposits on a Land Rover and a Porsche, as well as luxury hotel stays.

Others had money taken from their bank accounts without their knowledge.

One victim told the court: “It has had a significant financial, emotional, psychological and personal impact on me which continues to be felt more than six years later.

“Kingsley’s conduct amounted to a sustained, devious and uncaring campaign to further her own interests by exploiting my trust and willingness to help others.

“I was subjected to sustained deception combined with emotional manipulation, shifting explanations and repeated assurances that matters were ‘in hand’.

“The anxiety I experienced was unlike anything I had felt before, driven by the growing realisation that her behaviour would have a lifetime’s impact on me.”

Despite initially denying the allegations, Kingsley eventually pleaded guilty after a lengthy investigation led by Wiltshire Police.

Det Cons Chris Hemns said: “Kingsley is a manipulative, cold-hearted individual, whose actions over several years have left multiple victims with significant emotional anxiety and long-term mental and financial struggles.

“She has continuously lied through the investigation process, denying any wrongdoing until the final moment before the trial was due to take place.

“I have no doubt that she would have continued to offend, continued to defraud others out of thousands of pounds and continued to cause significant trauma to individuals had our investigation not commenced.”

He added: “I would like to place on record my thanks to the victims… justice has now been served.”