A NEWPORT man continued to claim his father's pension for years after his dad's death, a court heard.

Anthony Bubbins, 47, was caught when British Steel's pension fund investigated details of a pension paid out to the defendant's father, its former employee, Terence Bubbins.

It was discovered that Terence Bubbins had died in 2002.

His son received £13,463 over four years, prosecutor John Probert told Cardiff crown court.

Anthony Bubbins, of Christchurch Road, Newport, admitted retaining a wrongful credit and fraud by false representation.

His partner, Cheryl Foster, confirmed in a letter to the pension fund that he was still alive, claiming she was a solicitor.

Foster, 35, of the same address, admitted fraud by false representation.

The court heard that last February the pension fund sent Mr Terence Bubbins a letter asking him to sign it and for it to be witnessed by an independent person such as a solicitor.

The reply purported to have been sent by Mr Bubbins Senior, and Foster counter-signed it claiming that she was a solicitor.

Mr Probert said she even telephoned the fund to confirm she was a solicitor.

However, last June, the police searched the couple's address and recovered bank statements for the late Mr Bubbins and discovered that his account was still open.

Anthony Bubbins confirmed the account was opened and that the pension was still being paid. He claimed his solicitor had contacted British Steel and was informed that he was still entitled to the money.

Foster was interviewed and said she had never met Mr Bubbins Snr but was aware of the pension being paid.

She said she and her partner had discussed the matter and she had counter-signed the letter Bubbins sent "because her head was all over the place" as they were in debt.

Bubbins' counsel, Hilary Roberts, said: "He has endeavoured to sell an endowment to repay the money. This case has caused the couple considerable distress and it has been hanging over their heads for some time. They know the gravity of the situation."

Stephen Thomas, for Foster, said "She was in a rather different position. She has no assets."

Custody appropriate - judge Judge Patrick Curran said these offences cross the custody threshold and the two of them were in this together.

He added "They are the sort of offences for which only custody might very well be regarded as appropriate. Whether the sentence is to be served immediately or suspended is another matter."

He deferred sentence until April 24 for funds to be raised to compensate the loser.

He told the couple "If you compensate the fund I'll look very carefully at the possibility of suspending the sentence I have in mind.

"Sort yourselves out and make plans."

They were remanded on bail.