A Pembroke Dock woman failed to tell Pembrokeshire County Council that she had found a job because she "took her eye off the ball" when ill, her solicitor said.

Judith Poole, of 7 Front street, Pembroke Dock, admitted failing to notify Pembrokeshire County Council that she had found a job with the company Safe Haven Ltd in July 2008.

As a result Poole, aged 42, was overpaid £2050 in housing benefit by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Sharon Knox, prosecuting, told Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday that Poole received a letter in 2008 asking her asking her to notify the Depatrment of Work and Pensions of any change in her circumstances.

In January 2009 she replied with details of her tax credits and husband's earnings. On January 30th she contacted the authority to tell them she had found work four days earlier.

Ms Knox said that, in fact, she had started working for Safe Haven Ltd in July of the previous year. Under interview she had fully co-operated and admitted failing to notify the relevant authorities of a change in circumstances.

David Lloyd, defending, said that Poole had suffered from a lot of ill health and had been on the sick from Safe Haven Ltd from September 14th until early January 2009.

"My client is a woman of good character who regrets being being under pressure and unwell and taking her eye off the ball," he said.

He said that she had been repaying the overpayment since 2009 and had already cleared over £500.

"Mrs Poole is genuinely remorseful," he said. "You will not see this lady again."

Poole was sentenced to a 12 month community order, including 70 hours unpaid work and a nine month supervision requirement. She was also ordered to pay £60 costs.