A WOMAN who impersonated a police officer after her neighbour told her about a spate of break-ins at her home will have to wait to be sentenced.

Sharon Davey, of Darkfield Way, Woolavington, admitted that she befriended her neighbour, Ms Desouza, in June 2018, and pretended to be an Avon and Somerset Police officer after her neighbour said she was worried police were not taking reports of break-ins at her home seriously.

At a hearing at Taunton Crown Court on Wednesday (January 23) Chloe Griggs, prosecuting, told the court Ms Desouza had previously reported the issue to police on a number of occasions and after no charges were brought she had a mental breakdown.

Ms Griggs said after Ms Desouza's release from hospital she became good friends with Davey and 'confided' in her about her suspicions surrounding the break-ins.

The court heard Davey told the victim she had seen a man coming over their back garden fence and said police had seized a flip-flop from her garden as part of their investigation.

Davey also told her neighbour she had been speaking to a police officer named Detective Constable Summerhayes about the break-ins and several of the victim's neighbours had been arrested and were being investigated for burglary.

Ms Griggs said the victim also received emails from Davey posing as DC Summerhayes which included detailed information about the investigation and as a result Ms Desouza sent Davey victim impact statements from her and members of her family.

The court heard said Davey later posted on her village Facebook page to tell people her neighbours had been arrested for the break-ins and one of her neighbours saw it and reported it to the police.

A police officer then came to Ms Desouza's home while Davey was present and Davey continued to lie to them about her neighbours arrests.

In a victim impact statement Ms Desouza said the ordeal has left her feeling 'unable to trust people' and she feels 'betrayed' by Davey.

She said: "She knew I felt unsupported by the police, she knew I suspected some of my neighbours.

"She knew I had a breakdown at the start of 2018 and she knew these things because I confided in her and trusted her.

"Despite the fact I was convinced people were breaking into my house I stopped contacting the police. I can't understand why she did this to me.

"I could not have been happier when I found out DC Summerhayes had visited people and I trusted Sharon when she said she was going to speak to him on my behalf.

"She told me such convincing stories about what happened but it was all lies. I no longer know what was fact and fiction, it is is so twisted.

"I truly feel like I won't feel I can trust anyone again all because of Sharon."

Defending Caroline Coombe said Davey lied to try and provide her with reassurance that the culprits had been caught and urged Judge David Ticehurst to adjourn the case for a pre-sentence report.

Mrs Coombe said Davey has struggled to tell the truth for a number of years due to traumatic events in her childhood and said she deeply regrets her actions.

Judge Ticehurst said: "It is absolutely bizarre that you would tell such a detailed web of lies.

"You have caused untold harm to someone who regarded you as a friend and as a result of your lies you have caused harm to yourself and to others."

Judge Ticehurst adjourned Davey's case until March 25 so a psychiatric report can be prepared.