A JUDGE has warned a wife from Accrington that she now faces jail over a £65,000 benefits swindle.

For five years Shameem Akhtar told benefit officials she was a single mother and claimed income support, Burnley Crown Court was told.

But Hussain, 36, had been in an on-off relationship with Ghulam Hussain and they shared a home in Corporation Street, Accrington.

Teresa Loftus, prosecuting on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions, told the court the fraud lasted from October 2003 and March 2008.

The estimated loss to the state was just short of £65,000, even though her partner was working over the same period and could support her.

Hussain admitted failing to notify the DWP about a change in her circumstances and was bailed until September 11 for pre-sentence reports.

Judge Beverley Lunt said: “You must understand that this was a substantial amount of money and a sentence of imprisonment is the most likely outcome.”

Miss Loftus said there was no issue that the defendant’s partner was capable of working and could have provided financial support to her and the family over the five years concerned.

Mark Stuart, defending, said it could not be established how much in benefits would have legitimately been owed to his client if she had confessed to the relationship.

“She cannot recall the dates of when he lived with her and did not.”