A woman from Castletown has admitted claiming more than £4,000 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

Donna May Kerrie Cooper, aged 41, of Stanley Crescent, Castletown, claimed £4,421 in benefits she should not have had between May and October last year.

Representing the prosecution, Barry Swain said Cooper started off by making a legitimate claim for benefits on May 19.

’But on her own admission, she started gardening work on May 23. She signed for her first cheque on May 26 and for her last cheque in October,’ Mr Swain said.

He added she should have notified the authorities when her circumstances changed, but had failed to do so. He told the court the defendant had already started to make amends by repaying the money at £20 per week and had also made a one-off payment of £40.

Cooper’s advocate, Roger Kane, asked the court for an adjournment so a pre-sentence report could be completed on the defendant. He reminded the court the claim had not started out as a fraudulent one. She was bailed with a £250 recognisance to reappear for sentencing on April 27.