A Pennar woman fiddled more than £27,000 in benefits by pretending her husband had left her, a judge was told today (Friday).

Paula Mary Pearce, aged 44, had supposed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions if her financial situation changed.

But she failed to notify them that her husband, Martyn Tegerdine, had moved back in and was helping to pay household bills.

Pearce, of River View, Stranraer Road, admitted benefit fraud between 2011 and 2014 and wrongly receiving income support, housing benefit and council tax relief.

She was sentenced to 27 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. Swansea crown court heard the overpayments were being recouped out of the benefits she currently received.

Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said the DWP became aware the Mr Tegerdine was working for Balfour Beatty and had registered his address as the same as Pearce’s.

His bank account was also registered at the same address and the tv licence was in his name.

During an interview with DWP officers Pearce denied he had moved back in but admitted he had stayed for a while when she had been unwell.

Her barrister, Carina Hughes, said the couple had separated many years ago but had not got divorced.

Judge Huw Davies said he had to reflect the public’s view of benefits fraud by passing a custodial sentence, albeit a suspended one.