Mother tried to sell baby online

Moira Greenslade faced six charges in court

A woman who was accused of trying to sell her baby over the internet has pleaded guilty to deception charges.

Moira Greenslade, 33, admitted three charges of obtaining a total of £2,500 by deception and three charges of breaking adoption laws.

Bingley Magistrates' Court heard she had agreed to act as a surrogate mother for three childless couples who had answered internet advertisements.

She was arrested after giving birth at hospital in Southampton in December.

Her baby girl remains in care after being placed with social services.

...these offences are so serious they deserve greater punishment than we can give in this court Magistrate Peter Illingworth

The court heard that Greenslade had advertised her services as a surrogate mother on an internet site in 2003.

Scottish couple Mark and Michelle Johnson contacted her and entered into an agreement to adopt the unborn child.

She was paid a total of £1,500 by the pair, but cancelled the agreement a week before the baby was due.

The court was told Greenslade had re-advertised her services and obtained a further £1,000 from Peter and Sharon Robinson-Hudson, from Mold in North Wales.

They contacted police after receiving an e-mail saying she wanted to cancel the agreement.

10-year sentence

Greenslade's home was searched and she was arrested at Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, on 11 December.

It emerged at the hospital that a third couple had signed a surrogacy agreement with her worth £8,000.

Greenslade, of Fell Lane, Keighley, was bailed by magistrates to appear at Bradford Crown Court for sentencing in April.

Chair of the bench, Peter Illingworth, said: "Taking into account all the circumstances we have heard and the likely effects on the victims of your deception, these offences are so serious they deserve greater punishment than we can give in this court."

She faces a maximum prison term of 10 years.