A Ramsey woman has admitted a benefit fraud which resulted in her being overpaid £21,670.

Barbara Anne Coney, whose age was not given in court, of Close Ollay, admitted seven counts of making a false representation to obtain a benefit.

She will be sentenced in summary court on January 2 after a probation report has been completed.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court how Coney was receiving income support as a lone parent from May 2016 to August 2017, and October 2017 to March 2018.

However, the DHSC became aware that she had a partner living with her which she had not informed the authorities about.

Mr Swain said that the case was borderline when it came to deciding whether it should be committed to the higher court but submitted that it should remain in the summary court.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor agreed that the case was very much on the cusp but said that under UK guidelines, a sentence of one year custody would apply if convicted after a trial which did not take into account the 33 and a third discount Coney would be entitled to for her guilty plea.

The court heard she has no previous convictions. Magistrates granted bail in the sum of £500 with conditions that Coney reside at her home address and contact probation.