A WOMAN who fraudulently claimed more than £3,500 in benefit she was not entitled to has been sentenced to a community order.

Anne McCrossan, 64, of Honeypot Road, Brompton-on-Swale had been claiming Council Tax Reduction from Richmondshire District Council for several years.

But an investigation into her claim - conducted by Veritau, the council’s fraud investigation service - found that she and her husband held capital that was not disclosed, and that her claim was fraudulent.

During the course of the investigation Mrs McCrossan admitted that they had received inheritance payments that she hadn’t declared to the council.

As a result of her fraudulent activity Mrs Mccrossan was awarded £3,507.36 in Council Tax Reduction which she was not entitled to.

She pleaded guilty to all charges at Northallerton Magistrates Court this week and was sentenced to 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £548.40 in costs and charges.