A York woman who claimed more than £3,000 in benefits that she was not entitled to was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £350 when she appeared before city magistrates today (15 March).

Sophie Plant (21) of Slessor Road had been claiming housing and council tax benefit for herself on the basis that she was a single parent receiving a low income from her maternity allowance and income support.

However, she failed to report a change in her circumstances to the council when her partner, Shaun Mahoney, moved in with her in December 2004.  Mr Mahoney was in full-time employment. The fraud was detected by an eagle-eyed housing benefit assessor, who noticed that Ms Plant's declared income was too low for her to possibly live off and suspected that she was receiving an additional, undeclared income.

As a result of her actions, Ms Plant was overpaid £2,547.62 in housing benefit and £758.78 in council tax benefit.

Audit and fraud manager for the council, Max Thomas, said: "The council is committed to ensuring that everyone who is entitled to benefits receives them. However, we will take action against anyone found to have deliberately withheld information relevant to their claim.

"We would urge anyone with information about suspected benefit fraud to contact the council's benefit fraud hotline on 01904 552935. You don't have to leave your name and all calls are treated with the strictest confidence. Alternatively, you can email benefit.fraud@york.gov.uk"