A MOTHER of two disabled children conned the public out of thousands of pounds by fraudulently claiming benefits.

Amy Tidmarsh, 25, was living with her husband, but pretended she lived alone to claim between £16,000 and £32,000.

The fraud was revealed after the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) discovered her husband had put his real address on the birth certificate when their second child was born.

Tidmarsh admitted dishonestly failing to notify the Department of Work and Pension so she could claim income support, and dishonestly failing to notify Tendring Council to receive housing benefit and council tax credit.

Tidmarsh, of Valley Farm, Clacton, claimed the fraud started in June 2011.

The DWP said it started in 2009. Judge David Turner QC will decide which date is correct at a special hearing before passing sentence, following her guilty pleas at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Tidmarsh originally denied the charges when she appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court in November.