SWINDON: Toni Smith, 35, and Andrew Verlander, 42, have appeared before a judge accused of claiming benefits they weren’t entitled to.

They are said to have failed to declare they were living together when taking state handouts. It is said they received income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit between 2005 and 2008. No charges were put to the pair, of Newbury Drive, Freshbrook, and they did not enter pleas at a hearing at Swindon Crown Court adjourned to March 14.