A CLEANER who wed two illegal immigrants for the promise of cash - and wasn't divorced the second time - could be facing jail.

Karen Gartside, 45, never got a penny for getting married to the two Asian men 16 months apart, Burnley Magistrates heard.

Gartside, of Eldwick Street, Burnley, admitted bigamy and knowingly or willfully making a false oath or declaration to procure marriage, certificate or licence.

She was bailed until November 13 for an all options open pre-sentence report and the bench told her they may commit her to the Crown Court for sentence.

Sue Campbell, prosecuting, told the court on February 2 correspondence was received from a case worker employed by the General Register Office for England and Wales.

It brought police attention to Gartside, who was suspected of perjury and bigamy.

On October 3, 2003 Gartside had made a declaration of intention to marry Haji Iqbal, stating that she was a spinster. The marriage went ahead on October 22, 2003 at Burnley Register Office.

It had been disclosed to the case worker that Gartside was previously married to a man known as Tahir Nazin Ahmed on June 27, 2002 and there was no trace of a decree absolute.

Mrs Campbell said the defendant was arrested on August 29 and questioned. During interview, she admitted marrying Mr Ahmed on June 27, 2002 after being introduced to him by an Asian man she was involved in a relationship with.

She said she had only met Mr Ahmed briefly and married him in return for financial gain which her Asian partner and Mr Ahmed had promised her. Gartside then stated she had never received any payment for the marriage and never saw Mr Ahmed again. She agreed she was aware Mr Ahmed wanted to marry to facilitate his stay in the United Kingdom.

The court was told Gartside then told officers that whilst working at a taxi office in Nelson, she was approached by a driver who offered her money to marry his friend who wanted to stay in the country. She agreed to meet Mr Iqbal to make arrangements and she wed him on October 22, 2003 and found all the relevant paperwork relating to the marriage. Again, she never received any of the money promised.

Mrs Campbell said the authorities were making attempts to trace the two men.