RACHAEL Bartlett loved her little sister - making the fact she then tried to kill her so “disturbing” she can still not come to terms with it.

The devastation is something that has ripped her family apart and has had lasting physical and emotional effects on the 30-year-old businesswoman that could last a lifetime.

The impact was laid bare before the court in an honest and frank statement read to the court, on the orders of the judge.

In it Rachael said: “Cathy was not only my sister but my best friend and somebody I trusted and relied on. To find out that the relationship we had was built on lies and as a way to fund a lifestyle unknown to the rest of the family was devastating. The fact that she was then prepared to kill me to cover up her actions is so disturbing I have still not been able to come to terms with it.”

Rachael described how she came close to losing her life twice in five weeks, resulting in “terrible nightmares, trouble sleeping and panic attacks”.

As Bartlett was quizzed by police, she was forced to hide away in a hotel, fearing for her own safety, from where she was taken to hospital twice suffering panic attacks.

She added: “Since the fire the sheer amount of lies, emotional abuse and manipulation has become clear.

“Since Cathy was remanded I feel that she is still manipulating people and trying to spread lies about me to muddy the water.”

Rachael told how the fraud had cost her time and money and left her significantly out of pocket but she was left “sickened” by the fact her sister had stolen almost £70,000 from their father, which was routed through her bank account.

Had she died in the fire, it would have looked as if she herself had stolen the money, she said.

Describing how she no longer had contact with her parents, who she felt blamed her for supporting the police investigation into Bartlett, Rachael said she was left questioning if she had done the right thing.

She said: “I am still struggling to come to terms with what has happened. I love my sister and I always thought she loved me back.

“All of this has come as a huge shock to me and I find it hard to put my feelings into words.

“I think Cathy needs help and I hope she receives the help she needs.”