A WREXHAM mum who received more than £80,000 in benefits she wasn't entitled to has been spared jail.

Charlene Brindley, of Daisy Road in Brynteg, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday morning.

The 41-year-old had been convicted at a previous hearing of one offence of fraud and three of failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of changes in her circumstances.

Laura Knightly, prosecuting told the court the offences took place between 2014 and 2019, during which time Brindley was in receipt of a number of benefits; including income support, employment support allowance, housing benefit and working and child tax credits.

She claimed those benefits on the basis that she was a lone parent and was obliged to notify the authorities if that changed.

But an investigation confirmed she had been maintaining a common household with a man she went on to marry in 2017.

As a result of her failing to tell the DWP of the change in her circumstances, Brindley's benefit overpayment during the period of the offences came to approximately £81,000.

When she was interviewed, the defendant denied she was married.

But her own wedding photos on Facebook helped investigators unravel her lies.

Brindley later denied they had been living together.

Ms Knightly told the court a gap of five years came between the defendant being interviewed and finally being brought to court.

Judge Timothy Petts told the court: "It's staggering that she's interviewed and the offences are put to her in 2019, and it then takes five years for her to be prosecuted for it.

"It's completely unacceptable. There really should have been some explanation for this other than her file sitting on someone's desk gathering dust.

"It's not impressive at all."

The court heard that since her interview in 2019, the defendant has been paying 'token' repayments at the rate of £70 a month - which "is going to take decades to pay off."

John Wyn Williams, defending, told the court: "She had the good sense to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.

"And she's a vulnerable lady with her own difficulties and has gone through a difficult time.

The Leader:

"She started out in 2000 working in the Army, and cared for others when she left the Army.

"For the last five years, she has been paying the £70 a month but that is going to take a long time.

"Regarding the delay, for this to be hanging over her for five years is unfortunate."

The court was asked to take into account the impact an immediate prison sentence could have on Brindley's child.

Judge Petts told the defendant: "I have been given absolutely no explanation why it took five years to start court proceedings against you.

"That's an unfair and intolerable delay and under sentencing guidelines, I need to have regard to it.

"The total overpayment of benefits is in the region of £81,000, which you've been paying back at a modest amount since.

"Whether you will be able to repay the amount you were overpaid, I rather doubt.

"If your only income is from benefits, it will take you well into your hundreds.

"You had a very good career which was tragically cut short by a horrible incident in the [pre-sentence] report.

"And that's clearly had a lasting impact on you.

"This isn't a case where you've been leading a lavish lifestyle; but you were taking money that wasn't yours."

The Judge handed down a 12 month custodial term, but suspended it for 18 months.

Brindley must undertake 80 ours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity.