A woman swindled nearly £40,000 in benefits when her disabled friend died - by pretending he was still alive for four years, a court heard.

Michelle Kirkup devised a 'sophisticated plan' and conned multiple authorities by signing letters in her deceased friend's name.

She claimed his disability benefits and her partner Michael Wallace even pretended to be him on the phone as part of the 'wholly despicable' scheme.

A court heard the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was tricked out of £37,121, which was paid into Kirkup's account.

Wallace, 54, and Kirkup, 34, who were on benefits themselves, bought three cars over the four-year period and lavished money on themselves.

But they were eventually caught after an anonymous tip-off to the DWP.

Southampton Crown Court heard their friend Laurence Dear died in October 2012.

Mr Dear - who Kirkup considered a 'brother' as they grew up together - suffered from cerebral palsy as well as learning disabilities and sadly passed away from natural causes.

Because of the severity of his disabilities, Mr Dear, of Southampton, received premium disability allowance and a few months before his death the money was paid into Kirkup's bank account.

A year after his death, a phone call was made saying he changed his address and was 'living with his sister' at Kirkup and Wallace's Southampton home - two forms were sent out and returned, claiming to be filled out by Mr Dear.

The pair requested loans of up to £900 and Wallace even 'had the audacity' to phone the DWP pretending to be Mr Dear, asking 'why his benefits had stopped'.

The department, already suspicious, had shortly before the call in June last year launched an investigation following the tip off, and the pair were arrested.

Mary Aspinall-Miles, prosecuting, said: "Both individuals were well versed with the disability allowance system, as each of them received benefits too.

"Each of them are blaming each other and pointing the finger when asked who was behind this wholly despicable plan to receive £40,000 in benefits from a deceased friend."

She added: "While this was going on, Kirkup had correspondence with a coroner over her friend's inquest and she even made arrangements with a funeral director.

"Wallace's involvement seems to be a phone call to the DWP, pretending to be Mr Dear - he was asking why his benefits had stopped."

Susan Ridge, on behalf of Kirkup, who sobbed in the dock, said her client and now ex-partner bought three cars.

She also said Kirkup was 'suggestible'. She said: "She [Kirkup] only has an IQ of 57 which is extremely low, she was suggestible in her relationship with Mr Wallace."

Christopher Gaiger, for Wallace, said his client maintains his only part in the scheme was the phone call.

Kirkup was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for nine months, after admitting three counts of dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit and Wallace, who admitted fraud, was given a community order and 40 days of rehab.

Recorder Christine Agnew QC, sentencing the pair, said: "The benefits system in this country is creaking and it cannot and should not be abused by the likes of you."