Cash 'claimed for bogus children'

Ms Stevenson will reappear in court in October

A woman has appeared in court charged with claiming thousands of pounds in benefits for 16 non-existent children.

Nancy Stevenson, of Weston-super-Mare, is accused of claiming up to £75,000 in child tax credits over four years.

The 58-year-old is said to have realised she did not need to send birth certificates to tax officials to prove the children existed.

Ms Stevenson, a mother of two, was bailed to reappear at Bristol Crown Court on 12 October.

The hearing was adjourned for two weeks after Ms Stevenson's lawyer asked for a delay to allow the defendant more time to speak to her legal team.