AN anonymous tip-off led to a mother of one admitting benefit fraud.

Jacqueline Maxwell, 36, formerly of Stump Lane, Chorley, pleaded guilty to claiming more than £5,500 of housing and council tax benefits from Chorley Council.

She had told the DWP and the council she was an unemployed single parent.

However, Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard she failed to report that she had started part-time work and her partner had moved in and he was working full-time.

She was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 towards prosecution costs.

Steps are being taken to recover the overpayment in full.