A SHOP manager covered up losses of up to £20,000 by falsifying return sheets, a court was told.

Susan Marie Carter, 30, admitted submitting false accounts to bosses in order to cover up the unexplained deficiencies as she feared losing her job.

But Durham Crown Court was told she still had no idea how the losses were accrued at Mills, a newsagents and general dealer's shop she ran in South Pelaw, Chester-le-Street.

Roger Moore, prosecuting, said that, due to her falsified figures, shop owners, MGS Partnership, was unable to investigate where the deficiencies were accrued and who was responsible.

Mr Moore said the exact shortfall could not be quantified, but it was up to £19,900, which was the "ultimate loss" to the company.

"What the Crown's case falls short of is saying that this lady stole the money. The prosecution is unable to rule that out, or the behaviour of others, but it would now be impossible to be more specific than that," added Mr Moore.

Carter, of Fairfields, Pelton, who denied theft, admitted two charges of false accounting in April last year.

The prosecution is now expected to leave the theft charge "on file".

Michael Graham, for Carter, said she admits "getting further and further behind" with payments and so falsifying the document to cover up the fact that money appeared to be going missing.

"Her fear was that she would lose her job if the company found out."

Adjourning sentence, Judge Denis Orde granted Carter bail pending preparation of probation reports