London : The mother of murdered teenager Scarlett Keeling is facing jail after admitting benefit fraud.
Fiona MacKeown's court appearance on Friday meant she was unable to get to India for the start of the trial of two men accused of killing the 15-year-old.
Scarlett was found dead on a beach in Goa in February 2008. She had been drugged, raped and killed while on holiday. But MacKeown's case has been adjourned to allow her to give evidence in India.
MacKeown, from West Lodge, near Meddon, Devon, on Friday pleaded guilty at Exeter Crown Court to falsely claiming £19,000 in income support between February 2005 and March 2008.
Judge Graham Cottle told her she faced a possible custodial sentence.
