A carer claimed nearly £30,000 in benefits in a four-year con despite owning four properties, a court heard.
Corinne Taylor claimed £27,694 in employment and support allowance (ESA) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for more than four years from December 2012 until June 2017.
This was despite the 64-year-old having savings from rental income from four properties, Cardiff Crown Court heard on Monday.
Prosecutor Roger Griffiths told the court: “On December 29, 2012, the defendant made an application for employment and support allowance but failed to disclose income from rental properties amounting to £30,000 and the fact she owned four properties.
“The Crown became aware of the four properties and the fact she had a pension from previous employment. A total amount of £27,694 was unlawfully taken from public money when she had no entitlement to it at all.”
The court heard how Taylor had declined a formal interview with the DWP in March 2018 after receiving legal advice. Rosamund Rutter, defending, said “poor advice” prompted the defendant not to attend.
“She is incredibly remorseful and ashamed of what she has done,” Ms Rutter added. “She holds her hands up fully and realises she has to be punished.
“This is a very difficult situation to be in, someone who has worked hard for the majority of her life. She does accept what she did was wrong."
Taylor, who now works as a full-time carer for her mother, also suffers from a number of medical conditions, the court heard. She is also in the process of selling off one of her properties to pay the debts.
Taylor, of Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to one count of dishonestly making a false statement for benefit.
She was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for eight months. Judge Nicola Jones said: “I find that a woman of your age and character that there is sufficient punishment for you to have this hanging over your head."
