Oswestry mother, 27, falsely claimed more than £12,000 in benefits

Kirsty Mary Ann Morris, 27, of Blackfriars, admitted two counts of dishonesty when she appeared at Telford Magistrates Court.

The offences related to wrongly claiming housing benefit and income support to a total of £12,182.41.

Mrs Kelly Crowe, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was claiming income support as well as housing benefit which led to a charge of over £12,000.

"She was paid benefits in back accounts, it later transpired that she had made a false claim.

"Her partner was living at her address when she made the claim to both income support and she continued to maintain to live with him."

The court was told Morris has no previous convictions.

Mr Martin Walker, for Morris, said: "She is a single mother of two young children, she works part-time now as a beautician where she works two days a week and earns £400 a month.

"She claims child tax credits and working tax credits."

Magistrates imposed a community order of 100 hours on Morris, and ordered her to pay £100 in court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.