CHEQUES from a coal merchant's bank book went missing around the time of a fire at his home, a court heard.

Inquiries revealed two of the cheques were paid into the bank account of a woman in east Durham, within days of the fire.

Durham Crown Court heard that Helen Eliza Forsyth paid one cheque into her account for £7,400 and that a second, for £6,600, was deposited shortly after.

Stephen Duffield, prosecuting, said thousands of pounds were drawn from her account from the first cheque, just days before Christmas.

The court heard that her boyfriend, Jason Harker, bought a car for £2,650, using cash, on December 23, while Forsyth spent a large sum buying Christmas presents.

It emerged that Harker had known the genuine owner of the cheque book, as both previously worked for a York-based rail company.

But Harker subsequently moved on and was later working at the Walker's Crisps plant in Peterlee, County Durham.

Harker, 33, of Sledmere Close, Peterlee, admitted two charges of obtaining a money transfer by deception, involving sums of £7,400 and £6,600.

Forsyth, 24, of the same address, denied two similar charges.

She said that she paid the cheques into her account as Harker did not have one, but added she was unaware of where they were from and that she was just following his instructions.

But, following a two-day trial, she was convicted by unanimous jury verdicts.

Judge Peter Armstrong adjourned sentence on both, pending preparation of reports by the probation service.

Both were bailed to return for sentence at Teesside Crown Court next month.