Highland links as fake actress conwoman lied to sheriff about having cash to pay back victims
A woman who conned her family in a fake Hollywood actress scam told a sheriff that she lied to him about having cash to pay back.
Heather Dunlop (40), previously claimed that she had £14,200 in a bank account which she would send to her victims.
Sheriff Vincent Lunny gave Dunlop two weeks to transfer the cash with a view of seeking the rest of the stolen cash in future.
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However, Dunlop told her sentencing today that the money did not exist and that she "lied" to the sheriff.
Dunlop had earlier fibbed to loved ones that she had signed million-pound contracts.
She and mum Ann Dunlop (69), previously of Beauly, convinced her brother David Bunton (52), to hand Heather cash to help her make the breakthrough,
A court heard Heather was mingling with A-listers such as Leonardo Di Caprio and Beyonce as well as being managed by US entertainment executive Irving Azoff.
Heather's auntie Jean and her uncle Steve Allen were also induced with the string of lies.
Steve believed Heather and Ann had "champagne on tap" at the plush London home they shared.
He stated that the family were "like the Waltons" but ended up "like the Dingles".
Steve stated Heather's acting career was a "best kept secret" and compared it to the nuclear codes at Faslane.
Steve and Jean went on to pay Heather and Ann's gas as well as council tax bills due to their money problems.
Ann was convicted last August to defrauding her family a total of £35,368 at Glasgow Sheriff Court while Heather, of Kent, pled guilty a similar charge.
The sheriff had told a previous hearing that Heather faced a prison sentence if the money had not been paid back.
Heather and Ann appeared at today's sentencing for an update on whether they have repaid the cash.
Ann's lawyer Ross Jenkins told the court: "Regrettably, I find myself in a position which I can do longer act for her.
"Promises were made on a previous occasion in this case that £14,200 was available to be paid - that is not the case.
"That money has not been paid prior to this date calling."
The sheriff was then told that £500 had been paid into Mr Jenkins' company's client account for it to be sent to the victims.
Sheriff Lunny said: "I have no faith that this money [£14,200] exists and never existed and is another one of the Dunlops’ fantasies. There is no money."
The sheriff turned to Heather and said: "You told me that you had it."
Heather replied: "Yes, I did."
Sheriff Lunny: "This was a lie?"
Heather: "Yes."
Sheriff Lunny: "You lied to me and the court - that is not acceptable and there are consequences for lying.
"I have had enough of your lies and using court time."
The matter was deferred until the end of this month for background reports to be done on Heather and Ann, now both of Margate, Kent.
