A 53-year-old woman who claimed benefits on the grounds that she ‘could not leave her home due to social phobia’ was in fact a ‘party animal’ Gloucester Crown Court heard.

Nicola McVicker, of Hawthorns Road, Drybrook, was witnessed clubbing and dancing at a hen party and also worked for a company called ‘Ghostly Goings On’ - which required her to stand for long periods.

McVicker’s false claims about her condition meant she had been paid higher rate disability living allowances of £19,108-08 more than she was entitled to, said prosecutor Chris Smyth.

She pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Dept of Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances between January 3, 2012 and July 5, 2016.

She had previously pleaded not guilty and a jury trial was due to begin on Monday - but she changed her plea to guilty at the last minute.

She was given an eight month jail term suspended for 12 months.

Mr Smyth told Judge Michael Cullum: “Her capabilities had improved. She had become sufficiently mobile to shop on her own, work, socialise, and on occasion, fairly energetically.

“But she said she had extreme anxiety attacks, and breathing difficulties, and could not walk anywhere without diazepam, and being with someone."

Full story in The Forester