A BENEFITS cheat who wrongly claimed £37,913 in income support over more than five years sobbed as she was jailed by a judge.

Lucy Tremain, 31, continued to claim income support as a lone parent even though her two children were living with their grandmother.

Tremain initially began claiming the cash in December 1999, on the basis that she was a lone parent with no income or savings, except child benefit.

Teesside Crown Court was told that Tremain’s two children then went to live with their grandmother in March 2004.

However, she failed to declare that they were no longer living with her when filling out separate forms in August 2005 and January 2006, in order that she could continue to obtain income support.

In total, she received £37,913 she was not entitled to before the plug was pulled on the scam in April last year.

Tremain, who admitted making a false representation, told investigators that her life had collapsed after her children left and that she was afraid of notifying the Department of Work and Pensions of her changed circumstances.

Jennifer Coxon, mitigating, said Tremain’s claim had initially been legitimate.

She said: “She put to the back of her mind something which she should have dealt with at the time.

“She is highly remorseful – this is something completely out of character for her.”

Tremain was paying the money back, but at a rate of only £10 a fortnight. She was also continuing to see her children twice a week.

The defendant, of Manor Wood, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, was jailed for six months and two weeks by the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox.

He said the crime had occurred over a prolonged period and he could not avoid a prison sentence.

Tremain burst into tears as the verdict was announced by the judge and shouted: “Can I see my family before I go?”, before being ushered away by a dock officer.

Judge Fox said he would be failing in his duty to the community if he did not impose a jail sentence.