A HEARTLESS serial thief who stole from almost every member of her immediate family has been jailed.

Stephanie Swanston stole from her mother, father, two grandfathers, uncle and even her ex-boyfriend’s father.

The 22-year-old used £500 in cash taken from her 75-year-old grandfather to pay for a trip to Turkey, pawned a watch belonging to her mother and helped herself to her uncle’s chequebook during a visit to his home.

Swanston, of Coltsfoot Gardens, Windy Nook, Gateshead, admitted 16 dishonesty charges and asked for a further 37 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Gavin Doig, prosecuting, said: “The background to the offending is that this defendant has stolen from a large number of members of her family and former boyfriend’s family between July 2006 and November 2009.

“The case involves the defendant stealing cash and personal possessions from family and friends and also using their details in an attempt to obtain loans.

“The total potential gain was in the region of £10,000, though £7,500 of that relates to loans she applied for falsely using relatives details but were not in fact obtained.”

The court heard Swanston’s mother Karen Swanston had to pay £75 to get her stolen watch back after her daughter pawned it.

Swanston tried to take out a £5,000 loan using her mother’s name as guarantor and took out two mobile phone contracts in her name.

Grandfather Leslie Bone, 66, was left £180 out of pocket, which Swanston transferred from his account to pay a bill – and she also took £300 in cash from his wallet.

Swanston used her father Ian’s name as guarantor for a £2,500 loan and bought mobile sim cards using his personal details.

The serial thief spent £211 belonging to her ex-boyfriend’s father after getting hold of his pin number.

And she spent £350 after stealing from her uncle Neil Swanston’s chequebook during a visit where she claimed to be helping with cleaning.

Grandfather George Swanston, 75, lost £1,748 after Swanston got hold of his debit card.

Rachel Hedworth, defending, said Swanston, who has previously been convicted of stealing more than £500 from her employer, was a “compulsive liar”.

Miss Hedworth added: “She is utterly ashamed of herself, she has affected those who mean the most to her.”

Mr Recorder Ben Nolan jailed Swanston for six months.