A NEWPORT woman appeared in court yesterday over allegations she falsely claimed more than £100,000 in benefits.

Amanda Lesley Jane Matthews, 34, of Constable Drive, St Julians, appeared at Caerphilly Magistrates Court to answer two charges brought by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

The first is that between April 2004 and February 2010 she failed to notify social security of a change to her circumstances. Allegedly that she was living with Stephen Halliday, who was in full time employment, as husband and wife, and she was therefore not entitled to benefits under any provision of social security legislation.

She is charged with failing to give prompt notification to the DWP.

She is also charged on a second count of failing to notify Newport City Council.

Matthews entered no plea at the hearing, and was released on unconditional bail by chairwoman of the bench Ann Corbett.

She must appear again at Caerphilly magistrates court on September 2.