Jordan employee denies dishonesty

The court heard that Jordan was paying Miss Hillman a wage

A woman who worked for glamour model Jordan as a stable hand falsely claimed benefits for nearly two years, Lewes Crown Court has heard.

Joanne Hillman, 34, of Woodingdean, Brighton, denies three counts of dishonesty in the ongoing trial.

Prosecuting, Daniel Jameson said her duties originally involved cleaning out horses and mostly stable work, for which she received a wage.

He said the duties became more involved but Miss Hillman never notified anyone.

The court heard Miss Hillman, of Cowley Drive, started working for Jordan, whose real name is Katie Price, in about June 2003.

Miss Hillman answered a job advertisement and to begin with, was paid £150 a week for mucking-out, feeding, turning-out and exercising four horses at Miss Price's home in Poynings, East Sussex.

This later went up to £180 when Hillman started looking after two dogs, and then £250 when her duties also included cleaning Miss Price's new house in Maresfield, near Uckfield.

'Stable duties'

The court heard Miss Hillman was paid in cash until Miss Price's brother started looking after the finances, after which she was paid by cheque.

Mr Jameson said: "Originally her duties involved cleaning out horses and mostly stable work and for that she was paid a wage by Miss Price.

"As time went on, Miss Hillman's duties became more involved. She never notified anybody of this. This went on for 100 weeks and two days."

The court heard officials sent letters to Miss Hillman informing her she had received over-payments, but she did not reply.

Mr Jameson said Miss Hillman was later interviewed and made no comment.

Giving evidence, Miss Price said: "She stole from me. She opened up pet accounts in my name, ordered stuff and sold it to people."

'Change in circumstances'

She said she also had a £12,500 contract with the News of The World to do a piece called My Life With Jordan, and was going to write a book with Max Clifford.

Miss Price said she went to the police but did not pursue it because it was "a strain", and she was pregnant and depressed.

Jurors heard Miss Hillman was never charged with any offences.

Miss Hillman is accused of dishonestly failing to promptly notify the Department for Work and Pensions and Brighton council that she was working, knowing it would affect her entitlement to income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

She has pleaded not guilty to three counts of failing to give prompt notification of a change of circumstances.

The case was adjourned until Tuesday.