A COUPLE have a month to wait to see if they face prison sentences over the fraudulent running of a pub and hotel business in County Durham.

Jean Mattimoe, 58, yesterday pleaded guilty to four charges of failing to keep proper accounting records during a period when she and husband, Anthony, ran the Park Head Hotel, at New Coundon, near Bishop Auckland.

The charges relate to a Park Head Hotel Ltd directors' loan account and the failure to disclose the true nature of money received by the company between January 1993 and November 1996.

Anthony Mattimoe, 60, previously admitted five charges, including fraudulent trading at the hotel, with intent to defraud creditors of the company, also between January 1993 and November 1996, two of false accounting, plus forgery and using a false instrument.

The case involving Jean Mattimoe was adjourned at Dur-ham Crown Court yesterday and she and her husband will return in a month for sentence.

Judge Denis Orde ordered probation reports on the couple, while psychiatric and general medical and physical reports are being drawn up on Anthony Mattimoe.

An examination of the company figures has also been drawn up prior to sentence, by accountants Deloitte Touche.

The couple, of New South View, Windlestone, near Chilton, County Durham, were bailed to return in a month.

Judge Orde told Jean Mattimoe: "I grant you bail without indicating what the ultimate sentence will be, or what form it will take."