A WOMAN will carry out 100 hours of unpaid work after dishonestly claimed benefits over a six-month period.

At South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court last Thursday, Diane Elliott (55), of Wydon Park, Hexham, pleaded guilty to two charges of dishonestly failing to notify changes for benefits.

The court heard Elliott failed to notify the county council of her partner's change in employment status, and continued to claim housing benefit between November 20, 2017 and May 20, 2018 and employment support allowance between November 13, 2017 and April 11, 2018.

She was given a 12-month community order with unpaid hours, and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.