A YOUNG Carlisle woman has admitted stealing somebody else’s identity so she could apply for online credit to buy goods.

Bethany Jay Percival, 27, admitted two offences, on each occasion using the identity of a person who had previously lived in the house that she was renting so she could set up credit accounts and spend money which was not hers, the city’s Rickergate court heard.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said there were aggravating features to the fraud, which was committed on dates in May of 2017.

The lawyer outlined how the victim, who had previously lived at the address which was taken over by Percival, had become aware that his credit rating had plummeted.

As a result of this, he decided to investigate why.

“He became aware that credit accounts had been obtained in his name, using his details, in relation to transactions that he was completely unaware of,” said Mr Kelly.

“This has had a significant effect on the family.

“It’s caused significant harm.

“They have not been able to remortgage their property and it’s affected their ability to obtain a credit card.”

Mr Kelly described the offences as “opportunist”.

It had also been persistent, given that the defendant had set up more than one fraudulent account, he said.

The lawyer continued: “It was not just on the spur of the moment.”

He added that in his view the sentencing powers available to magistrates for the offence committed by Percival were not sufficient.

Gail Heard, for Percival, of Mount Pleasant Road, Currock, Carlisle, said the defendant had serious mental health issues at the time when she committed the fraud offences.

But the court’s legal advisor told magistrates that he offences had a “high impact” on the victim, producing a serious detrimental effect.

These factors meant that the starting point for any potential sentence – which would be reduced by mitigation and the admissions of guilt – would be six weeks custody.

After hearing legal representations, magistrates agreed that the case should be sent to Carlisle Crown Court for a hearing on August 7.

Miss Heard said the sentencing judge should be assisted by a background report which should include an examination of the defendant’s relevant medical issues.

Magistrates agreed, saying that they would not be comfortable proceeding with the case themselves.

They granted Percival bail until the day of her next appearance at the crown court next month.