A MAN who pleaded guilty to fraudulently collecting money on behalf of a religious association in Shipley is set to be sentenced next week.

Zamir Hussain, 45, had been due to appear at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court yesterday, but the court heard he was a "very unwell man" and unable to attend.

At a previous hearing, Hussain, of Norwood Avenue, Shipley Fields, pleaded guilty to two charges under the Fraud Act after admitting collecting money on behalf of the Masjid Association in Shipley in May and August last year and pocketing the money for himself.

He also admitted a vagrancy charge after being found in the Al-Furqaan Centre in Shipley for an unlawful purpose on August 24 last year.

His solicitor, Sarah Guttman, said Hussain was suffering from mental health problems and was absent from yesterday's hearing on medical grounds.

"He has not left the house or eaten for two days, and has tried but failed to get a home visit from his GP," she said.

"This is not a fanciful illness."

Magistrates agreed to adjourn the case until Thursday, February 25.