A woman claimed housing and council tax benefits when she had £20,000 in the bank.
Hyndburn magistrates heard that Michelle Dickinson had received £3,125 she was not entitled to. And since the matter came to light, the account had been closed and the money spent.
Dickinson, 34, of Whalley Road, Clitheroe, admitted three charges of making a false statement to obtain benefit. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 costs.
Diane Rice, prosecuting for Ribble Valley Council, said the charges related to three separate occasions when Dickinson had signed declarations about her claim. On each occasion she failed to mention a Yorkshire Bank account in which she had £20,000.
Gareth Price, defending, said Dickinson and her husband had divorced and the money in her account had been part of the financial settlement.
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