A FARMER of 50 years accused of an EU subsidy fraud has left court with her good name intact.

Linda Margaret Knight, of The Cottages, White Hurworth Farm, Wingate, County Durham, was alleged to have made fraudulent claims for single payment from the Common Agricultural Fund, between 2005 to 2014.

She denied ten counts of fraud and two associated charges of furnishing false information in making those claims.

The alleged overpaid sum involved was understood to be about £14,000.

Mrs Knight, 68, accepted making the claims, but told investigators she believed she was entitled to the payments.

Following legal discussions, it was agreed the charges could, “remain on the file.”

Michael Cahill, for the CPS Specialist Fraud Division, said it was decided to seek “civil remedies,” rather than go through with a criminal prosecution.

Deputy Circuit Judge Paul Worsley QC agreed it was a “sensible and pragmatic” course of action in this case.