A NEW Quay woman continued claiming benefits despite inheriting £138,000.

Susan Marion, aged 57, was then awarded £18,417 which she was not entitled to.

Marion was found guilty by a jury at Swansea crown court this afternoon (Friday, September 21) of failing to notify Ceredigion County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions of inheritances that would have affected her right to benefits.

Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, told the jury how a series of inheritances meant that Marion had well above the £16,000 limit of savings and capital.

Marion, of Plas y Wern, Gilfachrheda, told the court she did not accept that the money was rightfully hers.

She said it had been left to her by her father, grandmother and an aunt.

She said she considered the money tainted because her father and grandfather had kept battery chickens and killed lambs, both of which she disapproved of.

At first, she added, she had been willing to keep the £11,000 left to her by her aunt, but then discovered she had raced whippets, which she also considered to be cruel.

Mr Rees said that despite her views she had used the money to open four accounts at Barclays bank.

Marion, who had denied the charges, will be sentenced on October 19 and was granted bail until then.