A woman who forged legal papers so she could secretly sell the house she shared with a former lover has been given community service.

Joyce Terry, 59, was found guilty of stealing almost £34,000 from Phillip Page, which would have been his share of the sale proceeds.

She had pleaded guilty to three counts of making a false instrument with intent to deceive when she forged Mr Page's signature on documents to solicitors and the Land Registry.

Mr Page had continued to make payments towards the mortgage even after moving out of the house in Mile Oak Road, Portslade, when the relationship ended in 1999.

Terry escaped jail yesterday when Recorder Charles Macdonald ordered her to serve 240 hours' community punishment on each count, to run concurrently.

That was the maximum community punishment sentence available to him.

Mr Macdonald, sentencing at Hove Crown Court, told her: "The verdict of the jury clearly establishes dishonesty. A disturbing feature is that you still do not fully realise the extent of the dishonesty involved."

He said the amount - £33,904 - was also an aggravating feature.

He said: "This would have not come to light but for the fact Mr Page happened to inspect the Land Registry title in 2002."

Terry had told the jury she had permission from Mr Page to do as she pleased with the house they shared during their ten-year relationship.

She also said she would have happily given him his share had he asked for it but he told her he wanted nothing more to do with the house.

But Mr Page, a builder, was shocked when he contacted the Land Registry and discovered the house belonged to someone else.

It was sold to the boss of Terry's son Daniel. He later sold it on to Daniel, who now lives there with his mother Andrew Selby, defending, said: "Ms Terry wasn't trying to sell the house for a quick buck. She was in desperate financial straits.

"Since the sale she has not been living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. She hasn't benefited to the extent that she is now living the life of Riley.

"Had she known Mr Page wanted the money she would have paid it. She will pay it back now she knows he wants it."

He added that Terry helped care for her elderly mother and was of previous good character.

The court heard Daniel Terry had now offered to pay Mr Page £2,500 per month until the money was paid off.

The matter of compensation and confiscation orders was adjourned until March 5.