A woman forged payslips with dates in the future and used an expired passport to apply for a £5,000 loan.

Diane Hoare was desperate to get money to pay off debts her son owed to drug dealers, Colchester Magistrates' Court was told.

The 48-year-old had applied for a loan from Welcome Finance, and had an appointment on September 19.

Among the documentation she took were payslips dated for September 25 and October 25, a man's bank statement and an expired passport.

Fiona Hardman, prosecuting, said: "She was not approved for the loan, in fact the employee of the finance company contacted police because of suspicions about the false documents."

Hoare, of Gascoigne Road, St Anne's, yesterday admitted fraud by false representation.

Georgie Prasad, mitigating, said Hoare had acted out of "desperation".

"One of her four children is involved in drugs and has £18,000 debts," she said.

"She has been threatened about what will happen to her son if the debts are not paid."

Miss Prasad said Hoare was an alcoholic who had committed the offence without thought and was "always going to be found out".

"She has received phone calls telling her she will get parts of her son's body sent to her as Christmas presents."

Hoare received three months in prison, suspended for 12 months. She must undergo alcohol treatment and pay £70 costs.