A RETIRED teacher illegally received state benefits totalling £6,000 - despite having £30,000 in savings bonds already invested with the government.
For five years Carol Cooper, 60, claimed benefits including income support, council tax benefit and housing benefit, Hyndburn Magistrates Court was told.
But Imran Hussain, prosecuting, said that an investigation by the Department of Work and Pensions discovered that Cooper had £30,000 in National Savings investment bonds.
Cooper, of Rectory Close, Darwen, admitted five offences of making false statements to obtain benefits and was conditionally discharged for 12 months with £100 costs.
The court heard Cooper had inherited more than £30,000 from her late mother in 1996, which she invested in the bonds.
John Dewhurst, defending, said ill health had led to his client giving up teaching and claiming benefits. She did not realise the bonds would invalidate her claims.
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