A Brownhills worker falsely claimed £71,000 in benefits over 13 years despite having a job as a teaching assistant.

Lynette Pringle, of Ivy Grove, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of benefit fraud when she appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court today.

The 43-year-old single mother-of-three worked as a teaching assistant in several schools in Birmingham and also Sainsbury’s supermarket while she also claimed benefits, the court heard.

Between 1993 and July 2006 she claimed £71,000 by receiving income support, housing benefit and council tax allowance.

Mr Nayan Patel, prosecuting for the department for work and pensions, said her case should be sent to crown court because of the seriousness of the benefit fraud.

He said: “She had been claiming income support since 1993 claiming she was an unemployed single mother caring for three children. She also claimed for housing benefit and council tax allowance. She worked at a number of schools and also Sainsbury’s over the period.”

Magistrates said their powers were insufficient to deal with the case and sent it to crown court. Pringle will appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on May 30 for sentence. She has been given unconditional bail.