A WOMAN who committed benefit fraud on a large scale received a suspended jail sentence after pleading not guilty to the crimes.

Terena Tyhurst, from Austwick, fraudulently claimed £16,388 in benefits after failing to inform authorities that she had moved in with her partner Tracy Cramm.

Preston Crown Court heard that for two years from July 2011she continued to collect housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support while living with her partner at Orcaber Farm, Austwick.

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The court was told Tyhurst, 44, should have notified the Department for Work and Pensions and Craven District Council of her change of address. She was charged with three counts of failing to report a change in circumstances contrary to the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

The court heard how Tyhurst received income support amounting to £4,330.96, housing benefit of £9,727.48 and council tax benefit adding up to £2,329.71 during the two years.

She was found guilty by a jury at an earlier hearing and returned to Preston Crown Court for sentencing.

The 44-year-old, who said she was no longer with her partner and was on medication for depression, was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, given a 12-month supervision requirement and was ordered to pay £80 court costs.

Summing up, Judge Christopher Cornwall said: “It would have been better if you had pleaded guilty.”