A DALTON benefit cheat wrongly claimed £15,000 in employment support after failing to tell authorities she was married and about her husband's income.

Anne Cooper, 59, of Dunlin Drive, collected benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions over a three-year period despite knowing she had to inform officers she was living with her husband, Richard Cooper.

Cooper pleaded guilty to one charge of dishonestly failing to notify the DWP of a change of circumstances affecting her entitlement to employment support allowance at Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The offence ran from July 28, 2012 and June 24, 2015.

Mrs Pam Ward, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was in receipt of income-related employment support allowance on the basis she is incapable of work and was living alone.

"Evidence became available to show that Anne Cooper had been married and was living with Richard Cooper who had worked full-time since July 2012.

"She understand that she would need to let the department know."

Mrs Ward told the court Cooper signed paperwork in August 2011 which clearly informed her that she would need to notify authorities if she went on to live in an income-earning household.

The court was told that Cooper, who has no previous convictions, was now repaying the money and had so far returned £490.

Employment support allowance is a benefit for people who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

The court was told that Cooper had various long-term health conditions preventing her from working, including COPD, high blood pressure and depression.

Ms Karen Templeton, in mitigation, told the court debt problems in the household and barely "making ends meet" had caused her to carry out the deception.

Ms Templeton said: "She would like to apologise to the court. She feels absolutely terrible about what she has done.

"It wasn't a luxury lifestyle  - obviously that is not an excuse but that's an explanation."

Mrs Sue Needham, chairman of magistrates, imposed a curfew on Cooper for four months, requiring her to be home from noon until 2am every day.

She was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £60