A COUPLE who admitted defrauding an elderly woman out of almost £30,000 will still face trial after neither accepted taking her chequebook.

And Jodie Thompson insists she was put under pressure from her co-defendant Carl Potter to take part in the enterprise, which he denies.

Judge Robert Pawson said that there would have to be a trial of issue, called a Newton hearing, to establish the true facts of the case.

Potter, 27, and Thompson, 24, each pleaded guilty to one count of fraud totalling £29,450 at an earlier hearing before Swindon Crown Court.

The pair made the eight deposits between the end of June and Tuesday September 6 last year using the stolen cheques.

But neither accept they were the one who took the book from the victim, who was hospitalised as a result of what happened to her.

Peter Binder, for Thompson, said that while the money was put into her savings account she did not check the balance frequently.

He told the court, "her involvement was extremely small," adding she was put under pressure to take part in it.

Mike Jeary, representing Potter, said: "He has always denied stealing the chequebook.

"He assures me there was no pressure: no violence at all was used. She was as much a willing partner as he was."

Judge Robert Pawson said that the victim, who inherited about £30,000 from her father, was elderly and in ill health.

He said: "I have read her daughter's statement: so serious was he mother's deterioration she was sectioned. She was hospitalised with breathing difficulties all put down to this fraud.

"I would need a Newton hearing to find out what basis and who played what part. I appreciate each blame the other."

He said it was not only important to establish whether what they say about their own role is correct but also what they allege the other did.

He released Thompson, of Mulberry Grove, and Potter, of Knowsley Road, on conditional bail.

They must not contact witnesses or each other or go to Welcombe Avenue.