A WOMAN’S £62,000 benefits scam was discovered when she signed up for satellite TV.

Marianne Jane Williams, 40, of Riverbank in Bagillt had been claiming benefits as a single mum but was in fact living with partner Mark Francis as husband and wife, Flintshire magistrates were told.

It came to light when he took out a Sky television contract at her address.

John Lewis, prosecuting, said she had been receiving benefits since April 2010.

She claimed income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit on the basis that her only income was the benefits she received.

When interviewed, both denied they were living as man and wife.

But in court Williams pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to notify a change of circumstances to both the Department for Work and Pensions and Flintshire Council.

The total loss to the public purse was £62,212.

Stephen Mullarkey, defending, said there was significant mitigation in the case. He said Williams was the sole carer of her severely disabled son.

She had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and deserved credit for those pleas, he said.