TWO illegal immigrants who used the identity of a dead woman to get into the UK have been jailed.

Catherine Kyie, 33, claimed more than £100,000 in benefits after moving here illegally.

Recorder Peter Murphy described her as the "prime mover" in the offences of remaining in the UK by deception, breaching immigration law, possessing an identity document with intent, to which she pleaded guilty.

The mother of three appeared before Cardiff Crown Court along with her partner Kenneth Boateng, 45.

The court heard how Kyie, from Ghana, stole the identity of Joyce Pokuaa, a Dutch national.

Ms Pokuaa died in December 2003 after giving birth and an investigation was sparked when her family wanted her son to live in the UK but couldn't as his passport had been renewed by a woman claiming to be his mother in 2009.

This led officers to Newport as a passport for Ms Pokuaa had also been renewed after her death.

The youngster's passport was found in Boateng's possession at the couple's home in Kestrel Way, Duffryn.

Officers also recovered a Dutch ID card in the name of Pokuaa but displaying the picture of Kyie.

The court heard Kyie illegally moved to the Netherlands and lived with Ms Pokuaa.

After Ms Pokuaa died, Kyie continued to use her identity and was issued an ID card and passport two years later.

Kyie used Ms Pokuaa's identity to move to the UK and gain employment as a cleaner in a hospital, to claim tax credits, child tax credits and child benefit, amounting to £104,562.55.

Kyie wanted to come to the UK to provide a better life for her family, the court heard. Boateng, also a Ghanaian national, pleaded guilty to the offences and making a false representation as he knew Kyie's true identity and was given the right to remain in the UK through marriage to an EU citizen.

The court heard he worked as a driver to sustain his family in the UK.

Kyie was jailed for 15 months and Boateng for 12 months. Both will be deported after serving their sentence.