A PENSIONER from New Quay fiddled benefits while having as much as £88,000 in the bank, a judge heard on Friday.

Janet Weston, aged 66, had been “fraudulent from the outset,” said barrister Matthew Codd, representing the Department for Work and Pensions.

Weston, of Creigle Towyn Road, admitted making false statements to claim pension credits, housing benefit and council tax relief.

Mr Codd told Swansea crown court she received a total of £19,407 to which she had not been entitled.

He said Weston began claiming in 2008, stating that she had no savings or investments.

In one call she told the Department she was “furious” at not having any money.

But an investigation showed that she had savings of £30,000 in 2008. By December, 2011, while still receiving benefits, her savings had reached £85,000 and at one stage stood at £88,000.

After being called in for an interview Weston said she was under the impression she was entitled to have £20,000 in savings and still claim, but even at that stage she actually had £60,000, added Mr Codd.

The court heard that Weston had repaid all the £19,407.

Her barrister, Ieaun Rees, said Weston was now 66 and it was her first appearance in court.

The judge, Mr Recorder Chris Clee, told Weston: “I have no doubt you are thoroughly ashamed at what you did.

“It is a tragedy that someone like you appears in this court but this deception was maintained over a considerable time.”

Weston was jailed for 32 weeks, suspended for 12 months.