AN “unscrupulous” couple have been jailed for two years each after admitting to fraudulently claiming more than £30,000 in social security benefits.

Burnley Crown Court heard former nurse Amanda Heseltine, 35, and husband Richard Connell, 46, committed the offences between April 13, 2013, and March 23, 2015.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said the couple hijacked the accounts of existing customers to claim income support, employment support allowance, jobseekers allowance and social fund payments totalling close to £30,500.

The spokesman said they knocked on residents doors in Nelson offering to sell items in a bid to obtain their details. They then submitted fake sick notes to claim benefits in the names of unsuspecting residents or hijacked the accounts or real claimants by submitting hand-written letters to the DWP requesting change of bank account details.

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The spokesman said the illegally-obtained benefits was paid into a number of different bank accounts.

The couple, both of Bank Street in Brierfield, admitted 23 counts of dishonestly making false representation to make a gain.

Heseltine admitted the offences last month but Connell failed to appear after being injured in a car accident.

He pleaded guilty on Wednesday.

Defending, Richard Taylor said his clients kept half of the money obtained illegally and they did not lead a life of luxury.

Recorder Nick Clarke QC sentenced the pair to two years in jail and ordered them to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

A DWP spokesman said: “Only a small minority of benefit claimants are dishonest, but cases like this show how we are rooting out the unscrupulous minority who are cheating the system and diverting taxpayers’ money from those who really need it.

“We are determined to find those we suspect of abusing the welfare system by following up on tip-offs, undertaking surveillance and working with local councils.

“Deliberately not telling us of a change that may affect a claim is a crime.”