A COUPLE from Moreton in Marsh were warned they are 'likely to go to prison' for cheating the state out of £70,000 in benefits that they were not entitled to.

Karen Hardiman, 46, and Roger Cross, 39, of Springfield, Moreton, were due to be sentenced at Gloucester crown court on Tuesday but had not managed to get Legal Aid and were unrepresented.

They had been in the same position when last before the court in December. On that occasion the case was adjourned for them get Legal Aid sorted out but today their chosen solicitor Paul Griffin said it had still not been approved and he was not yet being funded to represent them.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC agreed to adjourn till April 20 to give them a final chance to get the funding but said if they had not he would sentence them anyway.

"They are going to be sentenced in four weeks time," he said. "They are likely to go to prison. This is very serious. We cannot put it off any longer."

Mr Griffin said he had suffered 'knock backs' from the Legal Aid authorities because each time he submitted claim forms for the couple he was asked for yet more information.

Judge Tabor said that was hardly surprising as in one set of forms Cross had said he was working but his partner declared he was not.

"They seem to be able to fill in the forms all right when it is to obtain money! he remarked.

Mr Griffin said part of the problem was that Cross has been doing some casual work and could not provide any pay slips.

Judge Tabor said that would be a “red rag to the legal aid people”.

Describing the delays in the case as “getting almost absurd” the judge also rebuked the pair for complaining about the cost of having to come to court repeatedly.

"You've had over £70,000 which you should not have had from the local authority and the like," he said."It is up to you to ensure you get to this court with Legal Aid. You will be sentenced in a month's time. I would hope to deal with you when you have legal representation but I will still deal with you if you have not. It's up to you to get it sorted out."