A WOMAN faked a burglary at her home to conceal the fact that her rented television and video had been pawned.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Lorraine Grieve continued the deception by attempting to obtain a replacement,

Grieve, 32, of East Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of a TV and video worth £419 and attempting to obtain the same from Granada Home Technology by deception.

She was remanded on bail until October 15 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Linda Forshaw, prosecuting, said that when Grieve had reported the TV and video stolen in a burglary the rental company had made arrangements to replace them.

"In fact the TV and video had been taken to Maxi Deals, Darwen Street, by a man who received £40 for them with an arrangement to redeem them for £52 by a given date," said Miss Forshaw.

The man was known to Grieve and had taken the property to Maxi Deals with her consent.

When interviewed she told police she had staged the burglary because she was short of money.

Jonathon Taylor, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and invited the magistrates to consider ordering the preparation of reports.

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