A 56-YEAR-OLD grandma who failed to disclose savings of up to £33,000 while claiming housing and council tax benefits, and income support, was told she should have been less frugal.

Blackburn magistrates heard Linda Waddington received more than £22,000 she was not entitled to over a six-year period.

And the court was told Waddington had sold her flat so she could pay back every penny of the over-payment.

Waddington, of Livesey Hall Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to making a false statement to obtain benefits, and failing to notify a change of circumstances.

She was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for one year, community supervision for 12 months, and was ordered to pay £85 costs.

Imran Hussain, defending, said the claim for benefits had started in 1999, and had originally been a legitimate claim.

“It wasn’t the case that she always had savings in excess of the allowed amount,” said Mr Hussain.

“Since she was confronted by the authorities she has shown a praiseworthy desire to reimburse the public purse.

“She sold her flat to repay the full amount and now lives in rented accommodation.”

He said Waddington had been left with nothing when her husband walked out on her when she was expecting their second child.

“Since then, she has lived a frugal existence and saved out of her benefits,” said Mr Hussain.

Passing sentence, District Judge James Prowse said: “If you had been less frugal and spent your benefits, you wouldn’t have had the money in the bank and it wouldn’t have been a fraudulent claim.”