A woman has been handed a four-month suspended prison sentence by Northampton magistrates after she illegally claimed more than £12,000 in benefits.
Lillian Payne, aged 61, from Hawke Road, Daventry, falsely claimed £12,500 in income support, council tax benefit and housing benefit between February 2009 and October 2011, but was eventually caught following an investigation by Daventry District Council and the Department for Works and Pensions.
Payne, who pleaded guilty to benefit fraud, was given a four-month jail term, suspended for 12 months.
Councillor Chris Millar, leader of Daventry District Council, said: “This is another case that highlights our determination to ensure that benefit cheats won’t be allowed to get away with it in our district.”
The authority has urged people who suspect people of committing benefit fraud to call their fraud hotline on 01327 302385, Calls can be made anonymously and in confidence.