A HARD-UP mother-of-four who went on a £580 spending spree with a stolen chequebook and bank card is awaiting sentence.

Burnley magistrates heard how Carol Sorbie, 37, who was pregnant at the time, wanted a toy for her son's birthday.

Sorbie, of Cloverhill Road, Nelson, admitted handling stolen goods, two charges of deception and two of making a false instrument. She asked for five deception offences to be considered.

The defendant, who was also in breach of a conditional discharge, was bailed until February 24 for a pre-sentence report. The bench told her they were considering a community-based penalty.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court a woman's car was stolen and in it were a chequebook and bank card. They were then used in stores from Nelson to Bury and the defendant netted goods to the tune of £582.

The cheques came into the possession of police and Sorbie's fingerprints proved a positive match. She was interviewed and made no comment. Sorbie was bailed, again questioned and admitted forging the signature and using the cheques.

John Nuttall, defending, said some people went to Sorbie's house with the chequebook. It needed a female to sign the cheques and the defendant would say she was pestered. She refused but eventually gave in.

Sorbie was living on benefits, it was her son's birthday and she had nothing to give him. She took part in the deception to get a toy for her son's birthday and food.