A MONMOUTH woman could be facing prison after she admitted six counts of benefit fraud.

Patricia Matthews, 66, of Clawdd Du, Monmouth, admitted five charges of dishonestly making false representations to claim benefits and one of obtaining an exemption of liability by deception to Judge Mark Furness at Newport Crown Court last Friday (9th July).

The offences were committed between 1998 and 2007. From March to November 2007, Matthews failed to declare that she was married and living with her husband.

Matthews admitted claiming pension credit, housing benefit, income support and council tax benefit to the value of £42,457.90, which she was not entitled to.

The charges on Matthews were brought by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The first five charges are in relation to claims made for state benefits and the sixth charge relates to an application made to Monmouthshire County Council.

Matthews was bailed while a pre-sentence report is compiled.

She is due to be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on July 30.