A FRAUD court case was adjourned because a doctor had not provided medical evidence about the health of one of the defendants.

Simon Bleakley, aged 45, had pleaded guilty to fraud charges at an earlier hearing and was awaiting sentencing with his wife Patricia, aged 47, and Jeremy Dawes, also 47.

The three were awaiting sentencing after defrauding Malrod Insulations/Environmental, based at Rodney House, Stotts Park, James Street, Westhoughton, where Simon Bleakley and Dawes worked as a financial assistant and a finance manager, respectively.

All three appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday morning but Simon Bleakley's defence counsel, Kevin Liston applied to adjourn the case while Dr Fiona Robertson produced information relating to Simon Bleakley's medical history.

Mr Liston said it was not for lack of trying and that his defendant had been to the surgery and waited only to be told his doctor was away on annual leave.

The court was told that other doctors in the practice were not as familiar with Bleakley's physical disabilities.

Judge Timothy Stead said it was "reasonable and regrettable" to adjourn the sentencing to wait for this information.

Simon Bleakley of Kelso Grove, Hindley is to be sentenced for fraud by abuse of position, conspiracy to defraud and transferring criminal property.

His wife, Patricia Bleakley, also of Kelso Grove, is to be sentenced for converting criminal property.

Jeremy Dawes of Ringway Avenue, Leigh, is to be sentenced for conspiracy to defraud, fraud by abuse of position and transferring criminal property.

The case has been adjourned to March 25.