A WOMAN has been given a six month jail sentence, suspended for two years, for a benefits fraud which cheated the public purse of almost £40,000.

Sharon Kersley, 47, of Lucas Avenue in York, had claimed housing and council tax benefit as well as Department of Work and Pensions benefits as a single person.

But a joint investigation by the Department and City of York Council showed that she had been living with her partner, who was in paid employment, for four years.

As a result of her fraudulent activity she was overpaid £17,439.51 in housing benefit, £4,687.06 in council tax benefit, and £17,810.58 in DWP benefits. She also received a discount of £633.80 to her council tax bill that she was not entitled to.

She pleaded guilty to all charges when she appeared at York Crown Court. On top of the suspended sentence , she was given a 12-month supervision order and ordered to attend a Thinking Skills programme via the Probation Service.