A WIDOW accused of laundering cash from counterfeit cigarettes to fund a "lavish lifestyle" denied knowing her husband's money may have come from illegal means.

Mum-of-two Sara Skinner, 44, was giving evidence before a jury at her trial at Newport Crown Court yesterday.

It is alleged Skinner and her late husband Mark used money from selling "thousands" of counterfeit cigarettes to fund a lifestyle far exceeding their means.

Skinner, of Oakleigh Court, Cwmbran, denies eight counts of converting criminal property over a four-year period.

Financial records show she handled thousands of pounds of cash between 2008 and 2012, the court heard.

In one year alone, in 2009, she handled over £20,000 in cash but earned around £12,000, said prosecutor Matthew Cobbe.

Police found the couple had splashed more than £100,000 on a lavishly decorated home, cars including a Porsche, Mercedes and BMW and 21 holidays, the court heard.

But she told the court she assumed the money her husband gave her came either from his aunt or his mum who had previously run a nursery, as well as his own income including car sales and golf lessons.

She added she had no knowledge of the illegal cigarette sales and was left devastated after finding out her late husband had two children through an extra marital affair.

She broke down in tears as she told the jury: "It was a double life I suppose.

"He was obviously just gone and he left it all to me to sort out."

She added: "I'm a fool. Obviously I lived 20 years of lies.

"I am sorry."

Her co-defendant Simon Leighton, 42, is alleged to have sold the counterfeit tobacco from his ice cream van.

Leighton is said to have known Mr Skinner through golf.

Police seized 11 boxes of contraband cigarettes and tobacco allegedly from Leighton with an estimated street value of £43,500 during a bust, the court heard.

Giving evidence yesterday Leighton told the jury he got 10 cartons of cigarettes when he visited Mark Skinner's mother in June 2012.

Leighton said the elderly mum had told him she had bought boxes of the cigarettes from someone in Abergavenny that were delivered in a white van.

He said that he planned to use them for his personal use and denied having any dealings with Mark Skinner.

Leighton, of Maple Road South, Griffithstown, denies one count of becoming concerned in money laundering.

Proceeding.