A West Wales couple kept quiet about an inheritance to continue claiming state benefits, a judge has heard.

Simon Smith, aged 62, admitted falsely claiming £11,831 in income support and his wife, Dorothy Wilde-Smith, aged 63, admitted allowing him to commit the offence.

Tim Evans, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that Wilde-Smith had inherited money from her parents that left her with more than £35,000 in savings.

Although the couple had since separated, they had been together when the offending took place between November 2012 and November 2014.

Mr. Evans said that since the couple had separated there could be an argument about who repaid the money.

Although Simon Smith’s address was given as Ty Uchaf, Hebron, near Whitland, the court heard that he lived some nights in a van.

Simon Smith was repaying the benefits, but only at the rate of £11 a week.

Simon Smith and Wilde-Smith, of Cwm Isaf, Mynachlogddu, Clynderwen, were placed under supervision for 12 months.