A WOMAN who claimed thousands of pounds in benefits as a single mother when she was married to a professional footballer has been granted another reprieve.

Kathryn Elaine Ibbetson was earlier this year given six months to pay back the benefits, which she fraudulently drew, despite being married to former Darlington and Torquay United midfielder Brian Healy, or face at least a year in jail.

Yesterday, she re-appeared at Teesside Crown Court where her counsel admitted she had failed to meet the conditions imposed by Judge John Walford.

Paul Newcombe, for 35-year-old Ibbetson, said she was in a "very complicated financial pickle" with her husband.

Mr Newcombe asked for the case to be adjourned since Ibbetson's original barrister, Chris Baker, was unable to be present.

He said: "There are some terribly complicated things she is raising which I don't know anything about as I have not represented her for previous hearings."

Judge Walford said he was prepared to adjourn in the interests of fairness so that Ibbetson could be represented by Mr Baker.

But he warned: "I do not want you to think that I have gone soft on you by allowing this adjournment.

"I made things pretty clear last time and I would not have made this order if I did not believe it was in your power to repay the money you criminally obtained."

Ibbetson, of Diamond Road, Thornaby, near Stockton, said she had put a house up for sale in order to meet the demands of the court.

She has pleaded guilty to four counts of making dishonest representations.

In April she was told that she must pay back £12,309 in fraudulently obtained benefit, along with more than £19,000 unaccounted for in her financial arrangements and £5,000 costs.

Ibbetson was bailed and the case adjourned for a date to be fixed.