A woman accused of stealing £20,000 from an elderly relative will not be sentenced until later this month.

Emily Ellwood, 36, pleaded guilty at Oxford Magistrates’ Court last month to defrauding the woman in 2019.

Prosecutors suggest the value of the fraud was around £20,000, with the money stolen through cash withdrawals and online payments.

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On Thursday, Oxford Crown Court heard that a basis of plea had now been entered in which Ellwood’s lawyers said the value of the fraud was lower and challenged the prosecution's account of how the money was taken.

Prosecuting, Honor Fitzgerald told Recorder John Bate-Williams that she had not been able to get instructions from the Crown Prosecution Service about whether the basis of plea was acceptable and asked for the case to be put back.

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The judge said it was ‘regrettable’ but adjourned the case until March 13. Ellwood, of Garston Lane, Wantage, was granted bail.