A WOMAN who drove a mum and daughter to commit suicide in a Greenock hotel has been jailed.

Linsey Cotton was today sentenced to three years behind bars for threatening and trying to extort money from Margaret and Nicola McDonough.

The pair took their own lives at the Premier Inn in James Watt Way in May 2013 after being targeted by the callous conwoman.

The build-up to the tragedy began when Cotton, 33, launched an elaborate internet scam which targeted Mrs McDonough's son Michael.

She set up a fake dating profile online purporting to be a woman named 'Stephanie Wilson' and used it to woo Mr McDonough before forming an online relationship with him in 2012.

But Mr McDonough's mum and sister subsequently became the victims of an extraordinary and complex pack of lies which twisted Cotton had devised in a bid to extort money from them.

Cotton, who admitted fraud and threatening the pair, demanded £5,500 from them, saying they would go to jail if they did not pay up.

Jailing Cotton at Paisley Sheriff Court, Sheriff Robert Fife told her she was responsible for a 'complex web of deceit'.

The hugely complex case was investigated by detectives from Greenock CID.

Following today's sentencing at Paisley Sheriff Court, Detective Inspector David Wagstaff, the officer who led the probe, said: “This was a unique, protracted and challenging enquiry.

"I am relieved that the McDonough family have been spared the ordeal of a trial.

“The McDonough family are a loving caring family, as a result of their care and compassion Linsey Cotton was able to manipulate them and dupe them into believing her elaborate and evil lies over a 12 month period.

"The McDonough family have remained dignified throughout this terrible ordeal and my thoughts remain with them."

The McDonough family released a statement said: "We wish to express our thanks to Police Scotland and the Crown Office for their professionalism and dedication in bringing this evil individual to justice.

"In particular, we want to thank the police liaison officer who has been a source of information, assistance and strength over the entire two and a half year period."