Kelly Hunter, 30, of Eversley Avenue, Sherburn in Elmet has been sentenced to a 12 month Community Order for 250 hours of unpaid work and costs of £300 after pleading guilty to eight offences of benefit fraud.

Charges included two counts of failing to declare a change in circumstances and six counts of false representations relating to claims for housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support.

A joint investigation by Selby District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions found evidence that Ms. Hunter failed to notify both orgainisations that she was living with her partner at her Sherburn home since January 2005.

The money is being recovered directly from Kelly Hunter by the organisations involved.