A MOTHER illegally claimed more than £16,000 in benefits when she failed to reveal she was living with her boyfriend.
Lucy Clark, a 23-year-old mum-of-one, of Marton Drive, South Shore, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to three offences of not notifying a change in her circumstances.
She was sentenced to do 200 hours unpaid work for the community by Blackpool magistrates.
Martine Connah, prosecuting, said between January 2011 and October last year Clark illegally claimed £16,538 in income support, housing and council tax benefits by not declaring she was living with partner Branden Walker, who was working.
Ashley Fisher, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had let the father of her child move in.
Clark had debts at the time which she could not pay.
When questioned by investigators, she was open and frank about what she had done.
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