A PRUDHOE mum who cheated the benefit system out of more than £78,000 has been spared jail.

Kathryn Leathard, of Parkwood Avenue, in Prudhoe, appeared in Newcastle Crown Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to three benefit fraud charges.

The court heard that the 29-year-old mother of three claimed tax credits, council tax benefit, income support and housing benefit on the basis that she was living alone.

The benefit fraud came to light when it was found that her partner was actually living with her. The offences occurred over a period of five years between 2011 and 2016, and the total overpayment amounted to £78,990.

Leathard was given 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, as well as 140 hours of unpaid work.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: “Most people claiming benefits are honest, but there are the unscrupulous minority who cheat taxpayers’ money out of our welfare system and divert it away from those who really need it.

“People pretending to live alone to get benefits is one of the most common types of benefit fraud, and this case shows our investigators are bringing criminals to justice.

“Failure to report a change in circumstances that may affect your benefit claim, such as a partner moving in, is a crime. Small amounts of weekly overpayments build up and you could end up having to pay back tens of thousands of pounds.”