Serial fraudster Michelle Roberts appeared in court today (April 1) after pleading guilty to stealing from her uncle’s wake.

The former Gravesend resident was due to be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court but it was adjourned due to the absence of a medical report.

She appeared in the dock, wearing a denim jacket, and after being told her sentencing had been rearranged, she told Judge Jonathan Black: "It’s not my fault, I’ve done my bit."

The 45-year-old, who now leaves in Bracondale Road, Abbey Wood, pleaded guilty at the same court on January 20 to four counts of theft and three of fraud.

In December 2011 she stole four bank cards, £300 in John Lewis vouchers, a chequebook and £80 cash from family members in Shoebury, Essex, while at her uncle’s wake.

She is now due to be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on May 29.

Previously, Roberts also stole hundreds of pounds from charity boxes in north Kent while pretending her teenage son had terminal cancer in 2012 and later stole from a 89-year-old woman’s purse in Northfleet while serving community payback.