A woman who was asked to help her grandad with his banking and bill payments stole more than £13,000 from his account.

Blackburn magistrates heard Kerry Robinson also took more than £5,000 from her mother’s account during the same period.

Robinson, 35, of Wellbrow Drive, Longridge, pleaded guilty to theft of £13,430 from NatWest Bank and £5,460 from Lloyds Bank. She was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

Sameena Chaudhry, prosecuting, said the offences represented breaches of a high degree of trust and responsibility. She said Robinson had been asked by her grandfather to assist him with his banking.

He was eventually informed that she had taken a significant sum of money over a seven-month period.

“It later transpired that she had taken another significant amount from her mother,” said Miss Chaudhry.

“The banks have repaid the money to both her mother and grandfather and they are now the victims of the thefts.”

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said the offences were the result of a gambling addiction that got out of hand.

“It is accepted these offences will have to go to the Crown Court for sentence,” said Mr Nightingale.