Sharon Dean (40), of Riseholme, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, should have told the authorities after landing a part-time job at a bakery.

But Peterborough Magistrates’ Court heard she had not informed them, and continued to draw income support, to which she was not entitled, for two and a half years.

After hearing she was now slowly paying back £13,905, the bench sentenced her to 120 hours of unpaid work, which she must complete in a year.

She was also ordered to pay £75 in costs, having pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances.

Prosecuting, Damian Willatt said Dean had received income support legitimately from May 1996.

In December 2003, she began a part-time job at a bakery as a sales assistant, working 16 hours a week and earning £400 a month in take-home pay.

But instead of telling the Department for Work and Pensions about her earnings, she remained silent and continued to claim income support.

When challenged by officials during an interview, she admitted she should have come clean about her work, but had been faced by domestic and financial problems.

Mr Willatt said: “This is a fairly large overpayment, and was made over a fairly long period, but it’s only that which is of an aggravating nature.”

Defending, Martin Newton said Dean had received no money from her ex-husband after they divorced and had been left with two children to raise.

She had racked up £25,000 in debts after moving home several times and had taken the job to begin reducing them.

Dean had started to return the benefit at £70 a month, Mr Newton added.

He said: “She is paying back as much as she can, but it is going to take a considerable amount of time, as she appreciates.

“I ask the court to note she has no previous convictions, was of good character, and made full and frank admissions to the DWP and pleaded guilty on her first appearance today.”