Fraudulently seeking benefits has left a Whitehaven woman with a suspended prison sentence.
Teresa Kevern, 49, of Calder Avenue, appeared at West Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Workington to face three charges relating to her benefits claims.
The court heard that, between April 2012 and October 2017, Kevern was "knowingly concerned in fraudulent activity" because she was living with a man as husband and wife but failed to notify HMRC. This, the court heard was done with a view to obtaining payment of Tax Credits.
Magistrates were also told that Kevern failed to notify Copeland Council of those same living arrangements, which affected her entitled to housing benefit between December 2010 and August 2017, and her entitlement to council tax benefit between December 2010 and March 2013.
Kevern admitted the three charges.
She was given jail sentences totalling 48 weeks, all suspended for two years.
She must carry out 250 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and pay £85 costs and a £140 surcharge.
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