A 57-year-old former Tetbury town councillor has appeared in court today (February 28) accused of benefit fraud, but did not enter pleas to the charges because vital evidence had not been made available to her lawyers.

Cheltenham Magistrates Court was told that video surveillance of Ann Pearce, of Upton Gardens, Tetbury, led to the allegation of fraudulent activity but her defence lawyers had not received the footage until yesterday (February 27).

Ms Pearce's lawyer, Ted Jackson, told the court that the issue in the case is the extent of her disability.

He added: "A Department for Work and Pensions surveillance team has 28 hours of video and an edited version of around 41 minutes which was played to her when she was interviewed by the government department.

"However, despite being promised a disc containing these videos, it has not be supplied. We've had to take matters into our own hands and travel to Gloucester to pick it up. But it was not in a format that was readable to us and we then had to take it to Bristol for it to be converted.

"While the disc has been converted into a format that is now readable, I've not had a proper chance to view the content or have discussions with my client.

"Under these circumstances I am asking for the hearing to be adjourned for discussions to be had."

District Judge Nicholas Wattam told Ms Pearce that this delay was 'regrettable' but because it wasn't her fault he agreed for the case to be adjourned until March 26, 2024, and released her on unconditional bail until that date.

Ms Pearce appeared before the court today carrying an oxygen cylinder.

At a previous hearing the court heard that Ms Pearce had suffered an industrial injury while working in the health and social care sector. Ms Pearce is entitled to benefits, but what is not accepted by all parties is the extent to which her disabilities from this industrial injury affect her life on a daily basis.

Ms Pearce faces a charge that she dishonestly failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change of circumstances affecting her entitlement to social security benefit between May 6, 2020, and November 9, 2022, in that her capabilities had improved and affected her entitlement to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).