A WOMAN who received £73,000 in an equal pay claim against a former employer was involved in a benefit fiddle at the same time, a court has heard.

Caernarfon Crown Court was told Doretta Parker, 59, of Plas Edwards, Tywyn, failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions about bank accounts, and £99,000 from the sale of a home had been paid into a joint account.

Prosecutor Andrew McInnes said Parker claimed to be separated from her husband but they shared homes in Birmingham and north Wales and took a Caribbean cruise together. The swindled employment support allowance money had been repaid.

Parker admitted fraud between 2012 and 2016 after failing to disclose she was living with her husband, Gary, who was employed. The prosecution said there was an overpayment of almost £18,500.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told Parker she had been able to buy property while making a fraudulent claim.

He said: “This was a dishonest claim. You behaved in a thoroughly dishonest fashion. You richly deserve to go to prison but I am persuaded to draw back from an immediate custodial sentence.”

A 12-month suspended jail term was imposed and she was fined £2,000 with £535 costs.

Defence barrister Sion ap Mihangel said: “She is terrified at the prospect of losing her liberty.”