A WOMAN has been accused of claiming more than £72,000 in benefits she was not entitled to.

A court heard Janet Ling claimed council tax and housing benefit after telling Tendring Council she was paying rent.

But a council probe revealed she and her husband owned a house in Clacton and she was also working at the time, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Ling, 60, of Catherine Close, denied two charges brought by Tendring Council.

Prosecutor Lynne Shirley said by the time the council found out what was going on, Ling had received overpayments of £67,421 in housing benefit and £5,334 in council tax – a total of £72,755.

The trial continues.