A mother-of-one who acted as a "money mule" by allowing her bank account to be used by criminals wept as she avoided an immediate prison sentence.
Karen Gilmore was given a six-month sentence suspended for two years after she admitted three charges dating back to November 2017.
The 39-year old, from Crosslands Court in Belfast, pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property and to two counts of fraud by false representation.
Judge David McFarland told her she had been used as a "money mule" and he accepted she had been used by "more sinister people".
Prosecuting barrister Kate McKay said on January 22 2018, a businessman from Co Durham contacted his bank to say £14,000 had been transferred from his account.
An investigation was launched and it emerged that the money had been transferred to two separate Ulster Bank accounts - one of which belonged to Gilmore.
She then made two withdrawals of £3,500 on November 29 2017 "at the behest of the person using her bank account".
Ms McKay said it was accepted Gilmore was not the "prime mover" and revealed that during police interviews she said she was approached by a friend who asked her if she wanted to make a bit of extra money for Christmas.
Gilmore - who has a clear criminal record - told police she willingly allowed her bank account to be used and was paid a couple of hundred pounds as "her cut".
Defence barrister Richard McConkey said the person who approached Gilmore knew she was having financial difficulties used her as a "patsy".
The barrister described the scam as unsophisticated and said she had made full admissions at interview and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
Gilmore wept as Judge McFarland told her: "There are criminals involved who will not expose themselves to risk, so they recruit people like you. You are easy prey for these criminals and you were always going to get caught."
She was warned to stay out of trouble for two years or face the potential prospect of being sent to jail.
