A 48-YEAR-OLD Accrington cleaner claimed thousands of pounds in benefits to pay off her debts.

Blackburn magistrates heard Brenda Stewart received £4,271 she was not entitled to over a seven-month period.

Stewart, of Sultan Street, pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change of circumstances and two charges of making false statements to obtain benefits. She was made subject to a community punishment order for 150 hours and ordered to pay £75 costs.

Michael Singleton, prosecuting for the Department of Work and Pensions, said Stewart had worked as a cleaner for 49 weeks but did not declare her income.

Philip Smithies, defending, said: "She has taken full responsibility for her actions and accepted that they were pre-meditated.

"She is totally remorseful and ashamed of what she has done.

"If your colleagues, who adjourned the case for an all options pre-sentence report, were trying to put the fear of God into this lady, they have succeeded."

Mr Smithies added that his client was now seeking help from the Citizens Advice Bureau in respect of her debt problems.