A RUNCORN woman has been given a conditional discharge after failing to declare earnings from an Ann Summers party, despite claiming benefits.

Yvonne Myatt, 36, of Rosam Court, Runcorn, who had received housing benefit and council tax benefit since September 2002 was ordered to pay £100 costs by Runcorn magistrates.

The court heard that housing benefit is based on the income and personal circumstances of the claimant, and recipients must declare these.

In August, 2005, Myatt completed a housing and council tax benefit review application form, declaring her income as her partner's earnings, tax credit and child benefit.

In April 2006 she said that her circumstances had changed in January of that year and she began working full-time with Venture Photography.

In May 2006 the case was referred to the council's benefit investigation unit to investigate why she had failed to declare promptly that she was working.

Her wage details and job application from Venture Photography revealed that her previous employer had been Ann Summers Ltd. Details of Myatt's earnings from Ann Summers revealed commission payments paid from August 2004 to March, 2006.

In July, 2006, in an interview under caution, she admitted failing to notify the council she was in receipt of income commission as a party organiser for Ann Summers.

As a result of her failure to declare the income, Myatt had been overpayed £4,506.28 for the period August 30, 2004, to February 26, 2006.