Cremilda Inacio, of Eaglesthorpe, Peterborough, accepted income support, housing benefit and council tax relief from the city council for three years, even though she was working.

Peterborough Magistrates' Court heard the 34-year-old was found out after the Department for Work and Pensions was tipped off about her circumstances.

A subsequent investigation revealed she had falsely claimed £5,870 in income support, £4,769 in housing benefit and £1,020 in council tax benefit.

Inacio pleaded guilty to failing to inform the council of her change of circumstances, and also admitted fraudulently using her sister's identity.

Magistrates handed her a six-month prison sentence and ordered her to pay back the £11,659 she claimed from Peterborough City Council.

Meanwhile, a woman who claimed to be unemployed while she was working at a city estate agents has been ordered to carry out 50 hours unpaid work.

Angela Howell (38), of Botolph Green, Orton Longueville, failed to inform the city council she had the job while claiming £2,872 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support.

Magistrates handed her the community sentence and ordered her to pay back her debts in full, along with £400 costs.

Peterborough City Council's fraud and investigations manager, Diane Baker, said the two prosecutions demonstrated the authority was committed to stamping out benefit fraud in the city.

She said: "These cases should serve as warnings to anyone in Peterborough who has ever considered committing benefit fraud.

"We will continue to investigate, and bring to justice, those people who commit benefit fraud and would urge any member of the public who believes someone is committing an offence to contact us."

n If you suspect somebody is committing benefit fraud, call the city council's fraud hotline on 01733 452250, or e-mail fraud@peterborough. gov.uk.