A WOMAN who failed to declare she was living with a partner for several years falsely received benefits overpayment totalling £51,723 as a result.

Durham Crown Court heard that Tracy Musgrove’s initial claims, made on the basis she was a lone parent, receiving no other income, were legitimate, in September 2006.

But, Durham County Council learned she was living with a partner, at her home address, at the time, in Robson Avenue, Peterlee, from March 14, 2007.

Rachel Mangenie, prosecuting, said Musgrove was questioned and acknowledged she should have declared a change in her home circumstances.

But, she stated that her partner, an offshore worker, only stayed there, “on a sporadic basis”.

The court was told the couple have since separated.

Miss Mangenie said since it came to light, the defendant has made weekly repayments, with the outstanding amount now £41,742.

Musgrove, 45, now of South Terrace, Horden, admitted two counts of failing to notify a change in circumstances, one relating to benefits from the council and the other from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Scott Smith, mitigating, said the claims were, “not fraudulent from the outset” and were down to, “a large degree of naivety”.

But he added that she has shown genuine remorse and made efforts to repay the outstanding sums involved.

Judge Simon Hickey said the fraud continued for approximately six-and-a-half years, with amounts overpaid including £31,000-plus in housing benefit and more than £15,700 in jobseeker’s allowance and income support.

But he said it did not appear she had been, “living the high life”.

He imposed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, during which she must undergo probation supervision.