A WINDERMERE woman has been placed on curfew after failing to tell authorities she had £37,000 in a trust fund, while still claiming benefits.

Linda Jane Kathleen Kirby, 54, appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Barrow on Saturday, January 13 where she admitted claiming more than £8,000 in housing benefits from South Lakeland District Council between June 2014 and September 2015.

Kirby, of Monterrae Brook Road, had been previously due to appear at the court on Wednesday, January 10 to face the allegation, but a warrant for her arrest was then issued after she failed to attend.

The court heard how the mother-of-one did not inform the authorities about her financial situation until 2015 because she "didn't think she could access the money," and then never returned the relevant paperwork to the council once it was sent out to her.

Maureen Fawcett, defending, said her client was currently involved in a 'dispute' with the DWP over actual sum of money she owed and that she had been a lady of good character with no previous convictions.

Miss Fawcett also asked magistrates if they would refrain from issuing unpaid work as a punishment as this would "affect her lifestyle."

Speaking in court, Presiding Magistrate Sharon Gillam said: "We've listened to everything you've said and think you put your head in the sand hoping it would all go away- you knew you were entitled to these funds."

Kirby was placed on a curfew from 6pm until 6am for 12 weeks and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.