A DISHONEST couple from Barrow fraudulently claimed more than £27,000 in benefits over a four-year period.

Today at Furness Magistrates' Court district judge Gerald Chalk heard that between 2012 and 2016 Paul Crawford, 43, and Toni Crawford, 27, of Middlefield, Ormsgill, claimed a string of benefits they were not entitled to.

Mr Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said the initial benefit claims stemmed from a series of health problems Paul Crawford suffered from.

He said: "He was claiming disability living allowance, employment and support allowance and housing benefit. He was not entitled to these.

"It was on the basis of post-traumatic stress disorder. His claim was reviewed in 2013. He claimed he had physical difficulties and needed hand rails, support on days of the week, getting out of bed in the morning and help with his washing and dressing."

Mr Kelly said between May 2012 and March 2016 £18,436.10 was claimed by Paul Crawford.

In order to receive the range of benefits claimed, Paul Crawford signed an agreement promising to notify the relevant authorities if his circumstances changed.

Toni Crawford, his wife, was also accused of fraudulently claiming benefits as a joint claimant.

Her failure to notify the authorities that she was in work led to an overpayment of £9,279.90 in benefits between January 2012 and June 2016.

Mr Kelly continued: "Evidence has come to light that Mr Crawford has been working since 2014 and that his needs and circumstances no longer needed the support that he was claiming. He said he had been unable to take part in full-time employment."

When interviewed by police, Paul Crawford said he failed to notify the authorities, including Barrow Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, because he thought his wife had done it.

Mr Kelly said: "He was unaware of being in receipt of benefits."

The couple, who were unrepresented in court, addressed the judge.

Paul Crawford said: "We know we've done wrong. We're paying everything back. Everybody is getting paid back."

The judge said: "It's a large sum of public money defrauded over a lengthy period of time."

Paul Crawford pleaded guilty to four charges of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to social security benefits.

Toni Crawford pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to disclose information to make gain for herself; she also pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

The couple are due to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday October 27.