A WOMAN has appeared in court after writing stolen cheques out to herself.
Melanie Collins, of Blackhouse Road, Fartown, admitted forging a man’s signature on the two cheques.
Collins claimed that the man owed her money for “services rendered”.
Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said that the 28-year-old had known the victim for five years.
He said that on September 9 they arranged to meet and Collins spent the night at his house.
On October 3 the man was checking his online banking when he noticed an unauthorised £400 transaction.
There another cheque transaction for £200.
Mr Bozman said: “He noticed that there was a cheque missing from each cheque book and called his bank.
“A copy of the Barclays cheque was sent to him and it was made out to Miss Collins.”
Collins, who is pregnant, was arrested and admitted charges of theft and fraud by false representation.
Magistrates were told that she was last in court for a theft from a house last May.
Ian Whiteley, mitigating, said his client accepted that she was wrong.
He said: “She fully admitted that she took the money.
“It was for services that she had rendered to this particular witness.
“She had rendered services and he had not paid her.”
Magistrates heard that Collins had an issue with drugs and had tested positive for Class A drugs following her arrest.
Mr Whiteley asked the bench to adjourn the case.
He said his client had suffered complications with her pregnancy and needed medical attention.
Magistrates adjourned the case until January 18.
Collins was ordered to comply with the Drugs Intervention Programme in the meantime.
