Son pocketed £18k of dead mum's cash
away on July 13, 2017.
"At the time of hear death, she was in receipt of two benefits, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence payment (PIP).
"These payments were continued to be paid into her account, notwithstanding she had passed away.
“The DWP were not aware of the death and it doesn't appeartohavebeenformallyregistered and there was no death certificate.
"The defendant didn't tell them during the course of the relevantperiodinthecharges."
The court heard that Harker's mum's ESA was paid from her death until July 2018, and her PIP until December 2018.
In total, Harker pocketed more than £18,000 by using his mother's bank card at ATM machines.
MrDrydensaidHarkerwas arrested in January 2019, and madeadmissionsininterview.
Harker, of Woodland View, WestRainton,pleadedguiltyto twochargesoffraudandoneof possessing an article for use in fraudwhenheappearedbefore magistratesinDecember2019.
He was then due at Durham Crown Court in January butfailedtoshowupandawarrant was issued for his arrest.
This week he was in the dock for sentence but the case was adjourned for input from the Probation Service.
Helen Towers, defending, said there had been a gap in Harker's offending history between2000and2015,whenhis lifehadbecomechaoticandhe began taking drugs.
She said: "Unfortunately, his relationship ended in early 2016 and there was a downward spiral in his life and he movedbackinwithhismother.
"One of his deepest regrets was his mother got to see him in that downward spiral and didn't see him recover from it."
ThecourtheardHarkerhad taken some steps to report his mum's death, like ending her tenancy, but admitted he hadn't done enough.
Harker has been released on bail to next appear before the same court at a later date.