A DARLINGTON man faked a credit card in his cousin's name then ran up bills worth more than £5,750.

Gary Brough, of The Causeway, Darlington, moved into his relative's home in 2003 after he ran into financial trouble.

Brough, 37, and his two children, stayed at the house until June last year, by which time he had run up debts in his cousin's name totalling £5,754.21.

Brough pleaded guilty to three counts of deception at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard that Brough's money problems began in October 2003 when he lost his job, and his wife was sent to prison, leaving him to look after their children.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said: "During 2003, Mr Brough had personal problems, and his cousin allowed him and his children to move in.

"While he was staying there, he filled out an application to apply for a Barclaycard in his cousin's name, which he then used over the next few years.

"He made sure to pay the minimum payment each month, and even rang Barclays to increase the credit limit on several occasions.

"Mr Brough moved out of the house in June 2006, but transferred the credit card details to his ex-wife's address in Hull.

"By 2005, the balance stood at £5,754.21. When Mr Brough missed his first minimum payment, his cousin received a letter at his address offering payment protection on a credit card that he didn't own.

"He called the police immediately and Mr Brough was then arrested."

Brough pleaded guilty to a charge of dishonestly obtaining credit from Barclaycard between November 18 2003 and December 12, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing £300 from Barclaycard on August 2, last year, and to using the card to buy £110.92 worth of products from B&Q Darlington, on February 10, 2004.

Magistrates agreed to adjourn the case while pre-sentence reports are compiled. Brough was granted unconditional bail and ordered to return to court on April 17.