A FLINTSHIRE woman who carried on working while claiming disability benefits has been spared an immediate prison term.

Heather Bailey collected around £29,000 in various benefits over a four-year period during which time she had four different employers, said prosecutor Robert Blakemore.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) launched an investigation and found Bailey was continuing to work despite registering as disabled.

At North East Wales Magistrates’ Court Bailey, 49, of Downing Street Villas, Red Street, Rhewl Mostyn near Holywell pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting her entitlement to a social security benefit between June 25, 2014 and August 23, 2018 and between April 1, 2015 and August 12, 2018.

She also admitted making a false statement to obtain Personal Independence Payment (PIP) on March 28, 2017 at Holywell.

Bailey’s 12-month prison sentence was suspended for two years, but Chairman of the bench Ian Hughes told her: “You are very lucky, you could have been leaving (the court) through the other door.

“You have told a string of lies and made a large number of false statements knowing you were defrauding the DWP. You can consider yourself a fraudster.”

But the magistrates’ chairman said the bench had stepped back from custody because of Bailey’s work record and so she could pay back the money from her full-time employment.

“Each of your employers have been very positive about your work ethic and that is a very positive side to you,” said Mr Hughes.

Bailey, who was of previous good character, has to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and attend 10 days rehabilitation.

She also has to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £140.