A WOMAN who fraudulently claimed more than £5,000 in benefits has been fined.

Sherree Baines, 28, admitted two charges of dishonestly failing to notify both Darlington Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions that she was living with her husband when she claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance between 2013 and 2015.

John Garside, prosecuting, said Baines claimed £5,340.72 under her maiden name of Jarrold, while living with her partner in Hundens Lane, Darlington.

Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said his client had only married her husband last year and did not declare her situation because it was an “on and off “ relationship.

“The longest at any one time he was under the same roof was about a fortnight,” he said. “Had she notified that he had moved in by the time it was dealt with he would have moved out again.” Mr Hunsley said Baines had already been paying back the money but found herself being charged after a payment was late.

Magistrate Stuart Little fined her a total of £202.