A CROWN court will preside over the case of a woman who is accused of illegally claiming more than £35,000 in benefits.

Fraud investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are pushing ahead with a prosecution against Rabiya Jinnah after she allegedly failed to inform them of changes to her circumstances.

Prosecutors said the offences relate to payments made to Mrs Jinnah, of West Hendon Broadway, for income support, disability living allowance, council tax benefits and housing benefits between 2001 and 2008.

The 43-year-old appeared for a second time at Hendon Magistrates Court today, where the bench committed the case to Wood Green Crown Court as it was likely to be beyond their powers of sentencing to deal with.

Mrs Jinnah, who wore jeans and a fleece and walked with the aid of crutches, spoke in court only to confirm her name, address and date of birth.

She was released on unconditional bail until October 29 when she is due to appear at the crown court for a plea and direction hearing.