A 56-year-old woman has admitted a second benefit fraud which resulted in her being overpaid £37,603.

Julie Elizabeth Corlett failed to declare that her partner was receiving a pension and had three bank accounts.

She will be sentenced on July 7 at the Court of General Gaol Delivery.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that Corlett had begun claiming income support benefit in July 2018.

In September 2022, a review of her claim found that her partner had undeclared bank accounts and a pension.

Confirmation of the accounts was obtained from Lloyds Bank.

Mr Swain submitted that Corlett’s benefit claim had been fraudulent from the outset, and that the case was not suitable for summary court sentencing.

In January 2019, Corlett was sentenced to community service at the Court of General Gaol Delivery after admitting a benefit fraud, which resulted in her being overpaid £39,327, due to her not declaring that her partner was living with her over a 10-year period.

Defence advocate Jane Gray asked for credit to be given for her client’s guilty plea and said that she was suffering from ill health.

Ms Gray submitted that the case was suitable to remain in the lower court for sentencing and asked for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said that, after taking into account Corlett’s previous conviction for the same offence, and the amount of the benefit fraud, she was not satisfied her summary court sentencing powers would be sufficient.

The High Bailiff ordered that the probation report consider all sentencing options, including custody.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500 with conditions that Corlett live at her home address, contact probation and co-operate in the preparation of the report, and not to leave the island without court permission.