A FORMER director of a Barrowford finance company who stole about £400, 000 is in custody awaiting sentence.

Kevan Berry's case was adjourned until next Thursday, April 10, at Preston Crown Court after he appeared before Judge Lesley Newton, at Burnley Crown Court yesterday.

Berry, 41, now of Church Street, Welton, Humberside, and formerly of Scott Park Road, Burnley, has admitted theft allegations and was remanded in custody at his own request. He was committed for sentence by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates.

The court was told the defendant, then finance director at Bowland Financial Management Ltd on Gisburn Road, had "duped," a lot of people out of their cash.

Mark Stuart, defending, asked Berry be remanded in custody to await his fate, as he had "said his goodbyes," to his family.