THIS is the woman accused of pretending she had cancer to swindle donors out of thousands of pounds.

Danielle Watson, 23, stumbled in to Basildon Crown Court on Friday with a hood pulled over her face as she tried to dodge waiting photographers.

Mrs Watson, originally from Billericay, is charged with six counts of fraud by false representation.

She is accused of falsely claiming to be suffering from Stage 4 cervical cancer after launching a fundraising drive in 2012.

In March 2012 she told the Echo her condition was so serious, she only had a 15 per cent chance of survival. Watson allegedly told would-be donors she needed the cash to pay for alternative life-saving treatment not available on the NHS. It is thought about £6,000 was collected through donations and fundraising events.

In April 2012, she married Chris Watson with a reception at the Ivory Rooms, in Billericay, after management donated the venue to her. Later she announced on Twitter she was cured, and pregnant.

Fundraising stopped in June 2012, after a supporter raised concerns with the police.

Dressed in a low-cut blue dress, black biker jacket and high heels, Watson did not enter a plea to the charges, which relate to a period between January and June, 2012.

Judge John Lodge said she had 14 days to decide whether she would plead guilty or deny the charges.

He set a provisional trial date of March 10.

Watson, now of Darkhouse Lane, Rowhedge, Colchester, is accused of defrauding six people: Danielle Livesey, Keely Murnane, Michelle Robinson, Leigh Stewart, Victoria Oliver and Kimberley Murray.