Port Erin 'fraudster' alleged to have wrongly claimed more than £50k

Woman admits to eight allegations of benefit fraud

A court's heard a Port Erin benefits fraudster wrongly claimed more than £53,000.

Forty-seven-year-old Pauline Elaine Bennett, of Fairy Hill Close, appeared before magistrates at Douglas courthouse.

She admitted eight allegations of making false representations to obtain benefits.

Prosecution advocate Barry Swain told the hearing Bennett had started claiming Employed Person's Allowance in November 2016.

The court heard Bennett hadn't told benefits staff there was a man living with her and her three children.

Prosecution advocate Barry Swain described the man as her common-law husband but Bennett claimed the man was just a friend.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction in the case saying given the amount defrauded Bennett would be committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery for sentencing.

They granted bailed in the sum of £500 and she'll next appear on 23 July.