Woman in £50,000 theft from her mother

Tracy Hobson, from Brighouse, pleaded guilty to theft and fraud charges in connection with her mother Janice between December 2005 and August last year and also pleaded guilty to a series of fraud offences relating to the use of a debit card in her mother's name.

The fraud matters include one offence of applying for a 20,000 loan in the name of Mrs Hobson.

Defence barrister Stephen Wood told Bradford Crown Court yesterday the total amount involved in the case was approaching 120,000.

Mr Wood said his 36-year-old client expected a significant custodial sentence.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall, QC, granted Hobson, of Stanley Terrace, bail so a pre-sentence report could be prepared but he told her: "This was an attack, not against your mother or her care, but against her finances."

The judge said he was giving no indication as the sentence but described the offending as a very grave matter.

He told the defendant "You have pleaded guilty, which will stand you in very good stead. These are however, you know, very serious, very mean offences."

He told Hobson he wanted some explanation from her for what had happened.

Hobson admitted four charges of theft and a further eight allegations of fraud.

She pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of stealing 500 belonging to the Calderdale Credit Union and the judge ordered the matter to lie on the file.

Hobson will be back at the crown court on September 10 for sentence.