A Medway couple falsely claimed almost £37,000 in benefits, a court heard.

Debra Swann, 47, of Mallard Way, Lower Stoke, admitted four offences of making a false representation to obtain benefit in January and August 2006, and two offences of failing to notify a change in circumstances between May 2004 and August 2006.

Peter Gallagher, 47, of the same address, admitted two charges of allowing a person to fail to give prompt notification of a change in circumstances between May 2004 and August 2006, and two of allowing a person to produce false documents in January and August 2006.

Each was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 12 months. Swann must also carry out 80 hours unpaid work and 20 hours employment and education training.

Gallagher, who works for a scaffolding firm, must undertake 100 hours unpaid work.

Prosecutor Judith King told Maidstone Crown Court the total overpayment in income support and council tax benefit was £36,993.69.

Gallagher and Swann were arrested last year. He initially denied living with Swann, claiming he used it simply as a postal address.

Swann however admitted “from the outset”, added Mrs King, that they had been living together. She also confirmed Gallagher’s claim that they had large debts.

The court heard that since their arrests the couple had paid back £2,151. Civil proceedings are to be held to recover the remainder.

Tom Allen, defending Swann and Gallagher, said the couple were deeply ashamed and were determined to pay off the outstanding balance as quickly as possible.

Medway Council’s finance chief Cllr Alan Jarrett said: “The benefits system is there to give people financial help when they need it most.

"It is completely unacceptable for people to claim benefits they know they shouldn’t be receiving."