A BLACKBURN woman who has admitted a large-scale fraud is facing a possible prison sentence.

Julie Cafferty pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to six charges in a case said to involve £40,000-£50,000.

The defendant, 40, of Bentham Road, Blackburn, admitted offences of using a false instrument with intent to have it accepted as genuine.

The charges cover different dates between September 2003 and December 2004. Two relate to loan agreements and the remainder, credit card application forms.

The court heard she had lived in the same household as the male complainant in the case.

"He had no idea she had run up such debts until he was informed by one of the credit card companies," said Sarah Statham, prosecuting.

"There is no evidence she was spending the money on anything other than running the family household."

Part of the prosecution case was that a second mortgage had been obtained by forging a signature. And Cafferty had obtained extra credit cards while trying to manage finances.

Defence barrister Kath Johnson said: "She was interviewed on the basis that she was 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'. Debts had spiralled and then a credit card was applied for and that was used to pay off other cards.

"There are no allegations that the money was used to fund a lavish lifestyle.

"She co-operated fully in providing details of her bank accounts."

Cafferty was remanded on bail for a background report by the probation service. She is due to be sentenced on Friday, February 17.