THE devastated disabled woman who was conned out of her life savings by taxi driver Christopher Owen says she is "heartbroken" over being betrayed by someone she considered a friend.

Before he began stealing money from 62-year-old Dilys Jones, Mr Owen had known her for more than 14 years.

Ms Jones, who lives in sheltered accommodation in Penarth, said that when Owen moved from one taxi firm to another she followed him, such was her fondness for the "kind and helpful" man.

It was this trust that Owen betrayed when, over the course of nine months, he stripped her of her entire £43,000 life savings.

Ms Jones, who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, difficulty walking and a disabled arm and hand, said: "I had no idea whatsoever what had been going on.

"When they told me that I only had £13 left in my account I was very angry and hurt. I just kept thinking 'why has he done this to me?'

"I was hammering the table, I was devastated. I kept crying all the time. He just seemed so nice and yet look at what he did."

Describing herself as "easy prey", she explained how Owen had emotionally manipulated her into believing her cared for her, even turning up at her house to profess his love for her in an attempt to persuade her to withdraw her complaint to the police.

Between the time of Owen's arrest and the eventual court case, Miss Jones said she stopped leaving the house and was left relying on food bank donations to eat.

She described the emotional trauma she endured at hearing local rumours that Owen was innocent, and the embarrassment she felt when some taxi firms refused to pick her up.

"He brought me to rock bottom," she said. "I felt so sad and lonely. I felt like I didn't have anyone to turn to. But I was determined that I was going to go through with the court case.

"I don't think I'm ever going to get my money back, so I knew that the only thing I would be able to get is justice."

After facing Owen in court, where he received a three-and-a-half year jail sentence for his crimes, Ms Jones said that now she feels he can finally start trying to put the ordeal behind her.

"It's going to take me a little while," she said. "I feel like a fool for trusting him. I'll never trust anyone again."

"I'll never trust anyone again