THE MOTHER of murdered North Devon teenager Scarlett Keeling has again appeared in court charged with £50,000 worth of benefit fraud.

Fiona MacKeown, 45 from West Lodge near Bradworthy, again entered no plea to the claims she falsely obtained £51,401.49 of additional income.

The case which dates back to income support Ms MacKeown received from 7 February 2005 to 10 March 2008 was committed to Exeter Crown Court on 19 March at 10am.

Ms MacKeown, dressed in a striped white and blue top, brown trousers and with her hair in plaits, was granted unconditional bail until then.

Ms MacKeown only spoke to confirm her name and address.

Scarlett, 15, was found dead on a beach in Goa in February 2008 after being raped while the family were on holiday.

Indian authorities said Scarlett had drowned after a post-mortem, but, Ms MacKeown campaigned for a a second examination which revealed the teenager had been raped and killed after taking drugs.