A 61-YEAR-OLD woman fraudulently pocketed more than £48,000 in benefits by failing to disclose she was living with a partner for 19 years.

Wendy Moran felt trapped by her dishonesty and did not dare reveal the truth when she repeatedly filled in forms claiming to live alone, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Moran, of Levita Place, Tyersal, Bradford, pleaded guilty to 16 offences involving a £48,520 overpayment of Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit.

She was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £2,000 court costs.

Prosecutor Alun Jones said Moran claimed to be single when she filled in a benefit claim form in June, 2001.

She was living with her partner, Alan Pilkington, who was in employment, the court heard.

Moran repeatedly declared her circumstances had not changed until she admitted the fraud to a review officer from the Department of Work and Pensions in November, 2013.

The following day, she cancelled her benefits claim but told officials Mr Pilkington had moved in the previous day, Mr Jones said.

Moran's solicitor advocate, Arshad Mahmood, said she was a hard working woman of previous good character.

She was paying back the money at £500 a month.

She had been forced to leave work because of ill health and was then in a desperate financial situation.

Her partner had never contributed to the cost of running the house and none of the benefit money was spent on luxuries.

"She felt somewhat trapped when the benefit officers called round," Mr Mahmood said. "She is extremely upset and frightened and fearful of going to prison."

Mr Mahmood said Moran had very significant health problems and was awaiting an operation.

"She is 61 years old and she has never been in trouble with the authorities. She is a hard working individual who looked after her family," he told the court.

Mr Mahmood asked the court to show mercy and not send Moran to prison.

Judge Neil Davey QC said he accepted that Mr Pilkington had never contributed towards the running of the house.

"The money went on ordinary household expenses rather than on a lavish lifestyle. The benefit officers did not find that you lived in an Aladdin's Cave," he said.

The judge told Moran, the mother of three children, that he had read impressive references about her from people who knew her well.

She had owned up about the fraud to a benefits official and then pleaded guilty to the offences.