A DALTON woman has admitted stealing £22,000 belonging to her severely disabled brother.

Christine Davies has been warned by a judge that she may be facing a jail term when she returns to court for sentencing next month.

The 57-year-old seven year old, of Queen Street, admitted a theft charge on the day she had been due to face a trial at Preston Crown Court today.

She was accused of stealing £37,574.08 belonging to Keith Hardman, between March 1 2007 and March 1 2011. When asked for her plea, she replied: "I plead guilty to the theft of £22,000".

Lee Bonner, prosecuting, said the Crown was content to accept her plea and would not seek a trial of issue on the difference between the two figures.

Defence barrister Roger Baldwin asked for the case to be adjourned for a pre sentence report to be compiled on her by the probation service.

Davies was remanded on unconditional bail for sentencing to take place on March 18.

Judge Heather Lloyd told her "I am adjourning so that the judge knows a great deal more about you and your background.

"It seems to me that a custodial sentence is a highly likely sentencing option on March 18. All sentencing options will be open to the sentencing judge."