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Adelaide Scammer Who Faked Cancer For Money Apologises

Angie Emma Walsh now says she's 'sorry for my sins'.
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An Adelaide woman, who duped three people, including a nun and a priest out of more than $180,000 by falsely telling them she had cancer, says she's sorry for her sins.

The elaborate scam by Angie Emma Walsh has been outlined in the Adelaide Magistrates Court, with her victims telling how they were deceived by her continual lies over a two-year period.

Walsh has admitted to multiple counts of theft and deception after telling them she not only had cancer but that she was also in line to inherit millions and was fighting in court to get her hands on the money.

In an apology read to the court on Thursday, Walsh told her victims she never intended to hurt or cause hardship to anyone.

"I can never imagine the breach of trust. I am truly sorry for my sins," she said.

In sentencing submissions, a prosecutor called for an immediate jail sentence, telling the court that Walsh was serving bonds for previous offending during the period of her scam and had a long record of similar crimes.

"Angie gained my trust and then went about manipulating me so deeply that all I have now is a disastrous situation filled with anger, embarrassment and emptiness."Sister Theresa Swiggs

The court heard the 40-year-old had appeared on the front page of a South Australian newspaper in 2008 and had gone on radio claiming to have leukaemia.

About that time she also attended a cancer support group with bandages on her chest and received assistance from the Leukaemia Foundation.

The principal victim of her latest offending, Sister Theresa Swiggs, said she was utterly devastated and overwhelmed by Walsh's actions.

"Angie gained my trust and then went about manipulating me so deeply that all I have now is a disastrous situation filled with anger, embarrassment and emptiness," Sister Swiggs said in a victim impact statement.

"I feel so cheated."

In his victim impact statement, Father Bill Brady said he had lost about $77,000 and felt both angered and embarrassed.

Defence counsel Leesah Randall said Walsh had been diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder and urged the court to allow for a longer period on parole to ensure she continued with her treatment.

Walsh was remanded in custody for sentence on November 1.

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