A FUNERAL director who diverted calls from a former business partner to win work has been warned he faces jail.

Christopher Westcott, 38, was described as "a conman and fraudster" by a judge after he admitted obtaining funeral work by claiming a former business partner was no longer trading.

Westcott, who ran Cathedral Funeral Services, in Framwellgate Moor, Durham, posed as his ex-partner, long-established undertaker John Pennington, to put a divert on calls to his premises after their amalgamation was dissolved.

It meant bereaved families who believed they were ringing John Pennington Funeral Services, were instead diverted to Westcott's number.

Westcott told some callers that Mr Pennington was no longer in business and was now driving coaches in Spain.

But Mr Pennington became suspicious as business dropped off and discovered the fraud when he tried ringing his own number and was diverted to Westcott's premises.

Police were informed and following investigations into Mr Pennington's complaint Westcott was arrested and charged.

He appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday on two counts of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, committed between October 18 and November 1 last year, by claiming Mr Pennington was no longer working as a funeral director and was out of the country driving buses in Spain.

Westcott admitted both charges and the hearing was adjourned after a request by his barrister, Ailsa McDonald, for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

The court heard Westcott, of Smith Close, Sherburn Village, near Durham, has previous similar convictions, committed in 1990 and 1992.

Agreeing to the request for reports, Judge Guy Whitburn bailed Westcott to return in three weeks for sentence.

Judge Whitburn said: "He's a conman, a fraudster, and this case does have very unusual aspects.

"These are very serious offences and, in the light of his record, he must understand he's in jeopardy and may well be sent to prison."

Addressing Westcott, Judge Whitburn said: "You will be given full credit for your pleas of guilty, but you have heard the warning I have given."