A former organist has pleaded guilty to swindling nearly £150,000 (€220,900) from her church and the bank where she worked.
Muriel Stewart (55) wept as a judge warned her she could be jailed for the thefts.
Stewart, a member of the Women's Association at Dunloy Presbyterian Church in Co Antrim, stole £96,685 belonging to its treasurer.
She also took £29,460 from clients of the First Trust Bank in Ballymoney where she was employed as a senior official.
Another £19,440 was stolen from a William Barton, believed to be a member of her congregation. The thefts were carried out between January 1998 and Christmas Day 2003.
Stewart entered her guilty plea from the dock at Antrim Crown Court.
Defence barrister Alan Kane confirmed that the sale of land near her home on Carrowdoon Road, Dunloy, which would pay off the money owed, was at an advanced stage.
Sentencing was adjourned until a consultant psychiatrist's report was completed.
Although Judge Piers Grant, allowed Stewart to be released on continuing bail of £500, he told her that this should not be interpreted as a signal that she would definitely be spared jail.
"You have pleaded guilty to three very serious charges," the judge said.
"A custodial sentence must be a consideration.
