A Tadcaster woman has pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming more than £2,400 in council tax benefit and income support.

Maxine Sans, 42, of Westfield Terrace, Tadcaster, appeared at Selby Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

She was charged with two offences of making false representations in her benefit claim. The court heard she had failed to declare ownership and interest in several properties, which meant she was not entitled to claim benefits because her capital assets exceeded the £16,000 permitted limit. It heard she had failed to declare that, apart from her current home, she owned seven properties, some jointly with her estranged husband.

But Keith Haggerty, mitigating, said there was no dishonesty involved and Sans believed her claims to be correct. He said Sans took no interest in the properties and had simply signed documents when asked to do so.

His client admitted that she should have known that her name was on the title deeds and mortgage documents. She had not been receiving any of the rental income from these properties.

The magistrates accepted it had not been a deliberate deception, but said Sans was responsible for the documents she signed and she should have read and understood them.

She was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £200 prosecution costs. She must also repay the benefits.