An addiction counsellor from Co Wexford has been found guilty in a court in England of charges of obtaining money or property by deception between 1996 and 2000.
Bournemouth Crown Court heard that the counsellor, Mary McCullagh, with an address of Farnogue Park in Co Wexford, took an alcoholic client on drinking sessions and tricked her into giving her £250,000 (€371,640).
McCullagh was found guilty at the court on Tuesday of 13 charges and will be sentenced at Dorchester Crown Court on September 11th.
The court heard that McCullagh told the client, Nicole Anderson, an estate agent, that she would die if she stopped drinking, as a way of "brainwashing and manipulating" her.
On one occasion the victim paid for the pair to go on a £17,000 champagne trip to Harvey Nichols, and bought her a £55 glass of brandy.
The court heard that McCullagh also lied to Ms Anderson about having terminal lung cancer and multiple sclerosis to gain her sympathy.
The victim was conned into writing the therapist cheques for up to £70,000 and giving her a new car, a Rolex watch and luxury holidays to alleviate her stress.
Judge John Beashel said the extent of McCullagh's dishonesty was "simply breathtaking" and he told her she faced a long prison sentence for "these cynical offences".
The victim was referred to McCullagh's practice in Bournemouth, Dorset, in 1996 having been admitted to the Priory Clinic at Roehampton, London.
The court heard that over a period of time the psychologist relentlessly asked Ms Anderson to lend her money.
The victim ended up selling a flat in Kingston, Surrey, a BMW Z3 sports car, and took out a £10,000 loan to raise money to give to McCullagh.
James Patrick, prosecuting, said: "If ever there was a goose that laid a golden egg it was Nicole Anderson. Mary McCullagh knew all about Nicole Anderson and used that information to devastating effect."
He added: "McCullagh had the money, holidays, cars and watches."
The therapist claimed the money and a holiday to Florida and a skiing trip were gifts and she had not asked for them.
Det Sgt Bill Bryson, of Dorset Police, said he had never seen a case like it in 30 years of service. "Nicole Anderson totally trusted her. But McCullagh abused that trust and manipulated her to such an extent that she obtained from her in excess of £200,000."
He said while Ms Anderson was left penniless, McCullagh led the life of Riley.
"I have never seen a case of a breach of trust like it."