A WOMAN who worked for Morecambe Tavern plant hire firm dishonestly obtained nearly £18,000 in benefits by painting a bleak picture of her health.

Samantha Nicholson claimed she was unable to get out of bed some days due to paralysis and blackouts but a covert DSS investigation filmed her at the wheel of a dump truck.

The 33 year old woman of Towers Street, Ulverston, was given eighteen months prison, suspended for two years, when she appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court.

A second defendant, 38-year-old Jeffrey Rowand of Morecambe Road, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to five offences of false accounting while doing book keeping duties at the plant firm, Morecambe Tavern.

Nicholson's offences covered a period of three years, from June 1996 to March 1998, and the total sum involved was £18,033 but not all that amount was paid to her.

Mr Gerald Jones, prosecuting on behalf of the DSS, said that in March 1998 two DSS investigators filmed her operating a dump truck. An investigation showed that she had been taken to various building sites. Her dairy recorded regular travel but she claimed all her work was voluntary and unpaid. Evidence showed she had received regular payments for her work, sometimes more than £300.

Her barrister, Mr Russell Davies, explained that she was suffering from haemopiegic migraine, a rare and disabling condition. He added: "There is no suggestion she lived the high life, a life of luxury or benefited to any great extent. She was in debt throughout the whole period , she remains in debt."

Judge John Townend agreed that Nicholson suffered from a debilitating illness but added: "You are, the jury has found, a thoroughly dishonest women. This offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified." He suspended the prison term in view of her health and other matters.

Jeffrey Rowand was ordered to do 240 hours community service. In his defence, Mr Nick Kennedy, said: "There was no question of him getting financial gain. He was merely to cover up and entry in a ledger."