A WOMAN charged with defrauding Hambleton District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions out of more than £44,000 has been committed to crown court for trial.

Nickayla Worley, 27, of 87 Forest Road, Northallerton, has been charged with failing to inform the Department for Work and Pensions or Hambleton District Council she was living with her partner, who was employed, between February 2009 and August 2013 while claiming income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

She has also been charged with claiming she was single to receive budgeting loans of £511 and £800; and of wrongfully retaining credit.

Prosecuting, Samantha Law said the case was not suitable for summary trial due to the total amount of £44,139.

She said: “Ms Worley is charged with claiming income support, council tax and housing benefit while claiming to be single with dependent children but she was living with her husband at the time.”

Stephen Andrews, in mitigation, said Ms Worley was not in a position to enter into a plea because not all the evidence had yet been made available for him to read to advise her.

Ms Worley will appear at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, October 20 at 10am.