A WOMAN who claimed benefits in York while having more than £30,000 in a secret bank account in France has appeared in court.

Elisabeth Labeguerie, 52, of Slessor Road, Acomb, failed to declare that she had the account. She was charged with defrauding City of York Council of £8,126.88 in housing benefit and £259.84 in council tax benefit.

She pleaded guilty at York Magistrates Court and was given an 80-hour community punishment order, and told to pay £250 in costs.

She has repaid all of the wrongly-claimed benefits.