THE mother of Blackburn Rovers striker Paul Gallagher has been prosecuted for benefit fraud.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Ann Bowman, mother of the Scottish international, received more than £4,000 in benefits she was not entitled to while working night shifts as a packer.

And the court was told that the overpayment was being recovered by the Department of Work and Pensions by weekly deductions from Bowman's benefits.

Bowman, 40, of Silverdale Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances and asked for 38 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

She was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months.

Michael Singleton, prosecuting, said Bowman had received income support on the basis that she was incapable of working because of illness or injury. Her claim was supported by medical certificates.

"Evidence is now available to show that between March 2002 and February 2004 she was employed by TW Recruitment and was working as a packer, earning between £30 and £130 a week," said Mr Singleton. "Had the Department been aware of the situation, reduced benefit would have been payable for 22 weeks and no benefit for 30 weeks.

"The offence is aggravated by the fact that employment was taken in a different name and using a false National Insurance number," said Mr Singleton.

"The Department says that was in order to avoid being detected."

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had fallen badly into debt and had taken the job as a short-term remedy.

He said she was suffering from chronic depression and she found the work got her out of the house.

Glasgow-born Paul Gallagher made his debut for Blackburn Rovers in March 2003 and received his first full cap for Scotland when they played Wales in February.