A daughter stole up to £180,000 from her parents and left them without any money in Europe after they sold their home and went on a round the world trip, a court heard.

Melissa Humphreys, 33, abused her parents' trust when they left their finances in her hands after setting off on a trip around Europe in a motorhome.

The retired couple were forced to cut their trip short when they discovered they were suddenly unable to withdraw any money from their bank accounts.

When an investigation was launched it was discovered that Humphreys had spent all their funds, maxed out their credit cards and had even applied for new cards in their names.

Appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, Humphreys admitted 12 counts of fraud involving credit cards and one count of obtaining property by deception.

At an earlier hearing Barry Hargreaves, prosecuting, said victims, Elizabeth and Terence Fordham, had been left in a “dreadful financial position”.

He said in 2006, the retired couple sold their property and bought a motorhome in order to go travelling across Europe.

They had left their daughter, Humphreys, responsible for the management of their credit cards and bank accounts.