A YOUNG single mum whose family cashed in on a bank blunder which put £135,000 in her account has blamed her sister for masterminding the theft.

Sarah Jane Lee, of Dunoon Drive, Shadsworth, Blackburn, has admitted her guilt but provided a ten page document which "pointed the finger at her sister," Preston Crown Court heard.

But her sister - Amanda Moorcroft - was said to take issue with much of what 20-year-old Lee had claimed, even though she also admitted theft.

Sentencing has now been postponed after a judge said that there was no alternative until the issue of blame had been resolved.

Lee pleaded guilty to 11 counts of theft and one of retaining wrongful credit from the Abbey National at Preston Crown Court.

Moorcroft, 24, of Sandon Street, admitted seven charges of theft. Her husband David Shaun Moorcroft, 42, admitted one offence of handling.

His brother Winston Moorcroft, 39, of Rothesay Road, Blackburn, also admitted handling, along with family friend Mark Uttley 27,of Preston New Road, Blackburn.

Lee had gone to the Abbey in King William Street, Blackburn, on November 29 last year hoping to find £10 in her account.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, told the court "She wanted to buy some nappies. In the earlier part of the day she would have been disappointed because there was £6.59 left.

"However, during the course of that day there was a payment made into her account, a banking error in her favour, of £135,000, paid by the Deutsche Bank of Frankfurt and by the Abbey National into her account.

"She checked her account. She was puzzled, she is dyslexic and phoned her sister Amanda who told her, according to an account given by Lee in a statement, to bring any documents she had with her. She went to her sister's next morning.

"They went out together with their children into Blackburn town centre.

Over the next 15 days the sum of £135,000 was withdrawn.

By December 14 all that was left was £162.53."

Amanda Moorcroft was said to have spent various sums by using her sister's debit card on the account, the court was told.

Money was spent on a paying for a holiday, furniture, carpeting and a TV set. This amounted to just over £18,000, the court heard.

On December 14, Lee went to the Abbey National branch and police were waiting for her.

But Mr Wayne Goldstein, for the sister, told the court: "Amanda Moorcroft takes complete issue with her statement. That will need to be resolved one way or the other before they can be sentenced.".

Judge Stuart Baker said It seems there is no alternative but to postpoine sentencing.

"It would be difficult to pass a sentence on any defendant where there are outstanding issues to be resolved".

The case was adjourned was until February 28.