Shrewsbury woman falsely claimed £82,000 in benefits

A Shrewsbury woman who falsely claimed more than £82,000 in income support and benefits by claiming to be a single mother while living with her partner has avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Wendy Morris, of Lancaster Road, was found guilty of falsely claiming £54,683 in income support and £27,600 in housing and council tax benefits.

Yesterday at Shrewsbury Crown Court Judge Peter Barrie gave Morris a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

He also ordered her to do 150 hours of unpaid work and gave her an electronic curfew between 7pm and 7am for three months. The court was told that Morris, 36, failed to notify the authorities that she was living with someone.

Mr Simon Davies, prosecuting, said she had originally been entitled to claim the benefits.

Mr Dean Easthope, for Morris, said she had paid some of the money back and was continuing to do so.

He said she had a lot of problems in her life.