A WOMAN who dishonestly claimed more than £4,750 in benefits “buried her head in the sand” rather than own up.

Valerie Wright, 67, of Cherry Tree Court, Dunnington, pleaded guilty to making false claims to City of York Council and the Department for Work and Pensions between April 2011 and December 2013.

York Magistrates’ Court heard she had gained housing benefit, council tax benefit and pension credit payments worth a total of £4751.08 which she was not entitled to, as she was living with her estranged husband, who was working.

Wright and her husband had split up, but he returned to live with her after he was in an industrial accident, the court heard.

However, when he started working again, Wright did not inform the proper authorities, which led to the overpayments.

Megan Waldron, for Wright, told the court her husband had started working just a few hours a week, then built up to more frequent work, by which time she was too worried to contact the council or the DWP.

Ms Waldron said Wright also had health issues, and the court case had “been quite distressing, and she has learned from the experience”.

She said: “She was scared and worried and didn’t want to get into trouble and buried her head in the sand.

“She has been paying back since just after the police interview.

“It comes from her benefits she is entitled to and is paid separately.

“She has paid almost half of that back so far – as much as she can.”

Magistrates said Wright had shown genuine remorse. They also credited her for having already repaid half the over-claimed amount.

She was fined £60 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.