A MORTGAGE advisor has appeared in court accused of stealing more than £40,000 from three of her customers.

Building society worker Lisa Anderson denied a string of theft, fraud and forgery charges, and will stand trial later this year.

Ms Anderson was arrested last year after an investigation by financial crime officials with the Newcastle Building Society.

The 35-year-old, of St David’s Walk, Hartlepool, is alleged to have carried out the offences between 2005 and last January.

Her barrister, Katherine Dunn, told Teesside Crown Court: “This defendant denies any form of dishonesty whatsoever.”

Ms Anderson faces five allegations of theft amounting to £43,894, and five charges of fraud totalling £2,500.

The four counts of forgery relate to Ms Anderson allegedly creating false documents with intent to deceive others.

Judge Howard Crowson adjourned the case, but no date was set for the trial, which is expected to last up to seven days.