A WOMAN who pretended to be ill has pleaded guilty to defrauding Yorkshire Cancer Research out of more than £90,000.

Patricia Robertshaw, 42, who worked as a partnership and events manager at the charity based in Harrogate, admitted four counts of fraud and one of forgery when she appeared at York Crown Court today.

Robertshaw, of Gisburn Road in Barrowford, Lancashire, was warned that she could be jailed when she is sentenced next month.

The defendant admitted committing fraud by pretending to be ill in 2017.

She also pretended to have certain qualifications in order to get jobs and made fake certificates that were used by others, who believed them to be genuine.

Robertshaw stood in the dock wearing a black T-shirt and spoke only to confirm her name and enter her guilty pleas.

Catherine Silverton, defending, said her client had a history of mental health difficulties and asked for sentencing to be adjourned for psychiatric reports to be completed.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC adjourned the case and told Robertshaw: "You should prepare yourself to receive a custodial sentence, given the offences to which you have pleaded guilty."

Robertshaw will be sentenced at York Crown Court on February 15.

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Cancer Research since July 2017, said: “It’s a very sad situation. We took action as soon as possible, and as a charity we continue to focus on saving lives.”