A COUPLE who were overpaid more than £40,000 in pension credit between them have been given suspended jail sentences.

David Challoner, 72, of Alexandra Place, Tredegar, and Ann Challoner, 68, of Cwrt Andrew Buchan Goshen in Rhymney, failed to declare that they were receiving rent, which would have meant they were not entitled to the credit, Newport Crown Court heard yesterday.

David Challoner, who previously pleaded guilty to failing to notify about a change of circumstances, was overpaid £30,582.46 between January, 2008 and March, 2016, while Ann Challoner, who previously pleaded guilty to making a false statement to obtain benefit, was overpaid around £10,900 between 2011 and 2016.

Jeffrey Jones, defending David Challoner, said the defendant was on medication and also faced financial demands to pay for his son’s treatment, who had suffered a stroke and lost his speech and mobility.

He added that Challoner was not on top of his financial affairs.

Judge Daniel Williams sentenced David Challoner to 24 weeks in jail suspended for 12 months and Ann Challoner to eight weeks, suspended for 12 months.