A WOMAN who falsely claimed more than £47,000 in benefits has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Corinne Pudney, 30, of Calamint Road in Witham admitted five counts of benefit fraud at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Despite her husband, Jamie Pudney, living with her at the time, Ms Pudney failed to declare this information while also claiming housing benefit, income support and tax credits as a single parent.

As a result, Ms Pudney received at total of £47,789.42 in benefits from April 2013 to October 2017.

Once her fraudulent claims were discovered, Ms Pudney was prosecuted under sections of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and Tax Credits Act 2002.

The court sentenced her to 24 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months.

She was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities and has been ordered to pay back all the overpaid benefit.