HALF brother and sister Damien Stephenson and Gemma Redford came up with a bogus crime to try get them money.

The pair walked into Radcliffe police station and claimed that Redford, aged 20, had been the victim of robbery.

Bury magistrates heard how she told an officer that her purse, containing more than £70 in cash, had been snatched in the street.

Stephenson, also aged 20, did not tell the police that he was related to Redford and claimed to be an independent witness to the incident.

Mike Church-Taylor, prosecuting, said that after reporting the bogus matter to police, Redford went to the local Benefits Agency and attempted to get a crisis loan by claiming her money had been stolen.

But the police officer investigating the matter discovered that the address given by Redford turned out to be the same as Stephenson's father. They immediately became suspicious and contacted benefits staff and told them to hold the crisis loan payment.

Investigations continued and eventually the truth was revealed.

Stephenson and Redford, who are now both living at an address in Greenwood Avenue, Swinton, pleaded guilty to dishonestly attempting to obtain cash and obstructing a police officer.

Both will be sentenced at a later date.