A former councillor has today changed his plea to guilty after facing a trial for dishonestly failing to inform his old council about his entitlement to benefits.

Howard Trevette, a former representative of Chiltern District and Amersham Town Councils, changed his plea at Aylesbury Crown Court this morning, on what was due to be the first day of his trial.

His wife, Danna, also pleaded guilty to failing to give prompt notification of a change in circumstances which affected entitlement to benefit.

The couple, of The Broadway, Amersham, had failed to notify authorities Mr Trevette had received a lump sum payment of £208,079.40 in inheritance – which affected their entitlement to receiving council tax benefit and housing benefit.

They faced three further charges of failing to inform Chiltern District Council, which brought the prosecution, of changes in circumstances, but prosecutors said they would not proceed with them and would allow them to lie on file.

The court heard today the Trevettes had been overpaid in benefits by around £11,000 – of which, they had paid back £5,000.

Judge Kristina Montgomery adjourned sentencing until a future date, which is likely to take place in four weeks’ time.

She warned the couple however: “You must not read into the fact I have adjourned the hearing that I have decided what the appropriate sentence of the court will be; I have not. You must come prepared for all eventualities.”

The court heard Mrs Trevette has previous convictions for shoplifting, theft and attempting to obtain property by deception, but Judge Montgomery said she accepted there was “some dissent” about what she had been convicted of in the past.

The Trevettes were granted conditional bail ahead of their next court appearance, which includes leaving their passports in the possession of the police and not to apply for any international travel documentation.

Mr Trevette was voted onto Chiltern District Council to represent the Conservative party in the Amersham Town ward at the 2011 election.

He was suspended by the Tory party when the allegations came to light but remained on the council as an independent member. He did not seek re-election at the local elections earlier this month.