A SUTTON woman whose benefit fraud resulted in her being overpaid �13,000 in benefits and income support was given a community order earlier this month.

A SUTTON woman whose benefit fraud resulted in her being overpaid �13,000 in benefits and income support was given a community order earlier this month.

Rachel Stone, of Moor Road, was sentenced on 3 June to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work after she admitted failing to declare she was living with a partner, which led to the overpayment. She must also pay �100 costs.

Acting on an anonymous tip-off, North Norfolk District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions investigated her housing benefit, council tax benefit.

Norwich magistrates heard how she was overpaid �9530.44 in council tax and housing benefit, and �3298.75 in income support, when she had not declared that she was living with a partner from May 2007.

The overpaid benefits are being recovered by North Norfolk District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.