A 25-YEAR-OLD woman fell foul of benefit regulations when her ex-husband moved back into her house although they were living separate lives.

Blackburn magistrates heard the husband slept on a put-you-up and cooked his own meals and had been assured by the Citizens Advice Bureau that his platonic presence would not affect his wife’s entitlement to benefits.

But the Department of Work and Pensions took a different view and prosecuted Majida Parveen for benefit fraud.

Parveen, of Wycollar Close, Accrington, pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to notify a change of circumstances which affected her entitlement to housing benefit and income support. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months.

Richard Prew, defending, said the couple had separated in 2005 and Parveen had made a legitimate claim for benefits. Her estranged husband came into an inheritance and he decided the best thing to do with the money was to buy a house with his wife.

“The couple have two children and he thought this was the best way to ensure they had a roof over their heads,” said Mr Prew.

In June 2011 the husband had to move out of his own home.

“He was contributing to the household bills and this would have affected her entitlement to benefits. This was not a deliberate offence but more an offence by omission,” said Mr Prew.