A pensioner who fraudulently claimed for state benefits walked free from Cardiff Crown Court on Monday (2nd August).

Patricia Matthews, 66, of Clawdd Du, Overmonnow, Monmouth, was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, made the subject of a supervision order for 12 months and made to carry out 150 hours unpaid work for the community.

Matthews admitted five charges of making false representations to obtain benefits and one charge of obtaining exemption from a liability involving council tax benefits.

The charges were brought by the Department for Work and Pensions. The first five relate to claims made for state benefits and the sixth to an application made to Monmouthshire County Council.