York woman was found guilty of falsely claiming over £3,800 in benefits at York Magistrates Court yesterday (21 June).

Julie Corringham of Carr Lane, York, was claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Council Tax Benefit, but she hadn't declared that she was working.

The fraud was exposed following a joint investigation by City of York Council and the Department of Work and Pensions. They found that Mrs Corringham was overpaid £3353.87 in Job Seekers Allowance and £483.73 in Council Tax Benefit.

Max Thomas, the council's Audit and Fraud manager, said: "The council aims to ensure that those who are entitled to benefits receive them, but this case sends out a clear message that we will catch up with benefit cheats even if they think they can avoid detection."

Ms Corringham was given a 12 month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £75 in costs.