MOTHER-of-three Emma Peterkin, 31, of Grandy Close, Grasmere, who fraudulently claimed nearly £13,500 in benefits and tax reductions, was given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, at South Lakeland Magistrates’ Court.

Peterkin pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud in that she failed to declare that her husband, Withmore Peterkin, had four periods of paid work during the period of claim for benefits.

She was also given a community order to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months and was ordered to pay a £215 contribution to South Lakeland District Council’s court costs and a victim surcharge of £80.