Greedy pensioner Margaret Rigby, who used her friend’s life savings to enjoy a life of luxury, will have to repay less than £3,000

The ex-Samaritan had been given power of attorney over the £235,000 bank account of her lifelong friend Barbara Lewis, who was suffering from dementia.

But Rigby, her daughter and ex-policeman son-in-law used the cash to enjoy free stays in hotels, travel to America, and buy cars and a caravan.

Today, Rigby, 80, was told by a judge, Recorder Deborah Charles, she had benefited by £62,106 but had only £2,714 in assets.

After the hearing Barbara Lewis' son Nick said: "It has never been about getting the money back. It was all about justice for my mum.

"These people took her money and have never admitted what they did and even when faced with paying it back, argued it all the way.

"They clearly value pounds and pence more than friendship."

Rigby, who is in poor health, received a two-year jail sentence suspended for 18 months in November and told by the judge that if she had been 10 years younger and fitter, she would have gone straight to prison.

Her daughter, Jane MacDonald, a former NHS manager, received an 18-month sentence suspended for 12 months and Mrs MacDonald’s husband Allan was given a 12-month sentence suspended for 12 months.

"It has never been about getting the money back. It was all about justice for my mum" - Nick Lewis

The judge ruled that Mr and Mrs MacDonald had benefited by £22,000 by their fraud and ordered them to repay the money out of their assets – or face prison in default.

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court heard during the trial that as Mrs Lewis’s mental health declined, Rigby bled the funds, lavishing gifts on herself and her family, including tickets to see Take That.

Rigby, who had known Mrs Lewis for 40 years, splashed her friend’s savings on trans-Atlantic flights, a car, a caravan and kitchen appliances.

She also funded day trips, haircuts, dental bills, credit card bills, new reading glasses and gadgets such as a £500 coffee machine, £3000 caravan, a £500 chicken house - all at the ailing victim’s expense.

Mrs Lewis, who has since died, had lived in the Elliott House nursing home in Reculver Road, Herne Bay.

Her cash was also used for outings to Kenilworth, Dover and Warwick castles, vets bills, meals out and an £800 cooker.

Mr Connolly said: "Margaret Rigby abused her position of trust. She used the power of attorney to purchase gifts for herself and members of her family.

"The daughter and son-in-law were recipients of gifts, which they knew had come from Barbara Lewis's money."

Rigby, of Burnt Barn Cottages, Betteshanger, was found guilty by a jury of fraud.

Her daughter Jane, 56, of the same address, was found guilty of two charges of acquiring criminal property, while son-in-law Allan, 60, was found guilty of one count.