A BOOKKEEPER admitted stealing from her employer when she appeared before magistrates in Richmond yesterday.

The court was told 26-year-old Anthea Sutcliffe's life collapsed after her partner went to prison in 2000.

Ending the relationship when he was sent to prison for eight years, she lost her main source of income and was left to provide for herself.

However, magistrates were told her attempts to survive alone took another blow when her daughter contracted meningitis.

Once her daughter recovered, Sutcliffe managed to find a job with a garage in Northallerton, but succumbed to temptation when the bailiffs knocked on the door at her home on Danelaw Road, Brompton.

Sutcliffe admitted five charges of obtaining money by deception - forging signatures on company cheques and paying them into her bank account, although the court was told she always intended to pay the money back.

Magistrates decided they needed more information on Sutcliffe's background before deciding her sentence.

The probation service was asked to compile a pre-sentence report and the case was adjourned until Thursday, February 6.