A MUM of three claimed over £23,000 benefits as a single woman while living with her partner, a court heard.
Sharon Williams, 38, was questioned by the Department for Work and Pensions but denied she was co-habiting. She said her partner used her house as a base and was helping her through a difficult time.
Williams, of Littlemoor View, Clitheroe, admitted six allegations of false accounting, between November 2003 and February 2006.
The court was told Williams, the mother of three dependent children, claimed income support since December 2001 on the basis she was single, not working and had no other income. She also got housing and council tax benefits.
Williams had received overpayments of £23,021.29. She had paid back £193.70. She was given a suspended six-month prison sentence, supervision and 100 hours unpaid work.
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