A York woman who claimed more than £7,700 in benefits that she was not entitled to was sentenced at York Magistrates Court today (29 March).

Zubeyde Altin of Crombie Avenue, York, pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining Housing and Council Tax Benefit fraudulently since 2003.

Ms Altin had claimed that she was a single woman living alone with a child, though her husband was actually living with her. In all, she obtained £7726.09 that she was not entitled to.

Ms Altin was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs. She also has to repay the money she falsely obtained.

Max Thomas, audit and fraud manager for the council, said: "The council does not tolerate benefit fraud and will take appropriate action in all cases where it is found that people have submitted false claims. 

"I would therefore encourage anyone who has information about suspected benefit fraud to call the council's fraud hotline on 01904 552935 or email us at benefit.fraud@york.gov.uk."

City of York Council is currently running a campaign to raise awareness of benefit fraud.