A WYKE woman is facing a jail sentence after she admitted being involved in a prostitution racket which netted tens of thousands of pounds.

Cathryn Byrom, 44, appeared before a judge at Bradford Crown Court today and admitted five charges of controlling prostitution for gain, covering a period between July 2011 and August last year.

Blonde-haired Byrom, of Storr Hill, also pleaded guilty to five further charges relating to the transfer of criminal property between the same dates.

The criminal property charges relate to the transfer of sums totalling £64,250 over a four-year period.

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It is understood that the case relates to the activities of prostitutes in major cities across the North of England including Manchester and Leeds.

Barrister Mark Watterson, for Byrom, told Judge Jonathan Rose the prostitution for gain charges covered "a multiplicity of behaviour and offending" and he asked for more time to submit a detailed basis of plea which could be considered by the prosecution.

He said there may be an issue relating to Byrom's knowledge about the activities of the "escorts" with whom she was liaising.

If Byrom's basis of plea is disputed by the prosecution she may have to face a further hearing before a judge.

Judge Rose told Byrom if the basis was accepted she could be sentenced on May 13.

The judge extended Byrom's bail and ordered a pre-sentence report from the probation service, but he warned her that the adjournment and the report were no indication of the sentence she would receive.

Judge Rose said she had pleaded guilty to the offences at the first opportunity, but she should not think that anything other than a prison sentence was likely to be imposed.

Mr Watterson said the prosecution had indicated that they would also be making an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act legislation against his client.

Byrom's bail included a condition that she cooperated with the preparation of the report by the probation service.