A FRAUDSTER in debt to loan sharks cheated a teenage friend out of an £1,800 dream holiday to California, a court heard.

Eighteen-year-old Emma Hulme had her suitcases packed ready to go, having handed over cash to Darren Pottage.

But the holiday was a sham – Pottage had not bought airline tickets or changed her money into U.S. dollars.

In a victim impact statement she said: "I never suspected my holiday wasn't booked. When I found out I felt vulnerable and scared and I cried a lot.

"What upset me the most was the deceit and lies from a man I thought was a good friend."

Pottage, aged 37, of Silver Close, Biddulph, who admitted charges of theft and fraud, had his sentence deferred until June 12 pending repayment of the money to his victim.

Ian Pinkney, prosecuting, said Miss Hulme was a friend of Pottage's partner and in January last year the three of them decided to on holiday to California.

Pottage claimed to have booked the flights and took £515 off Miss Hulme, who made a dozen further payments to him, totalling £1,360, for US dollars.

As departure date in June approached, Pottage produced phoney email "tickets" for the flight which he said had been put back until July. Miss Hulme "had her clothing packed ready to go" but departure day came and went and she heard nothing more from Pottage.

Police later arrested him and he told officers he had debts.

David Iles, defending at Stafford Crown Court, said there was an intent to pay the victim back everything she had lost, with the money coming from Pottage's partner.

Pottage had borrowed £3,000 from loan sharks in Manchester, who were demanding £7,000 back.