A MOTHER-OF-TWO cheated the state out of more than £28,000 in benefits after falsely claiming that she had split up with her husband, a trial was told.

Jolene Watton, 34, of Middlemarsh, Leominster, told the authorities that her husband, Stuart, no longer lived with her after April 2008.

But, in 2012, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) investigated and found evidence that she was maintaining a “common household” with her husband, Johanna James, prosecuting, told the jury at Worcester Crown Court.

Mr Watton’s bank account, car registration and insurance gave his address as his wife’s and she was also insured to drive his vehicle.

Miss James said Watton’s failure to tell the authorities that her husband lived with her saw her overpaid just over £28,000 in benefits over a five-year period.

Watton denied making a false claim for benefit between June 22 and 28, 2008 and fraud by failing to disclose information to Herefordshire Council between June 22, 2008 and February 9, 2013.

However, a jury found her guilty following an hour of deliberation.

Miss James told the jury that Watton had claimed income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit, stating that she was a single parent, living on her own with her two children, after separating.

When questioned after the DWP investigation into her claim, she maintained they were still separated, but conceded that he went to her home most days.

Miss James added that the Wattons had a number of joint bank accounts, including two for their children containing £7,500. But questioned about those, Watton said she had saved the money from child benefits.

“The overwhelming inference is that she must have been receiving the money from elsewhere,” said Miss James.

Watton sobbed as she said she told her husband, whom she married in 2003, to leave their home after he had an affair. She told the jury they were not divorced because it would bring “shame” on her family in April 2008.

She added that, after they split, her husband lived for a time with his sister, his parents and a friend, but visited her home most days to see the children.

But he did not change nappies or eat with the family and did not contribute towards the bills, other than giving her £20 a week cash for the children.

Judge Toby Hooper QC adjourned the case for a presentence report. He said the case merited custody, but was dependant on a probation report.

Watton was bailed.