A 32-year-old woman has received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to benefit fraud.

Amanda Byrne, of Keats Close, appeared at St Albans Magistrates Court on September 25 for sentencing having pleaded guilty earlier in the month to three charges of benefits fraud.

After failing to declare an inheritance of £161,000, she was found guilty of one count of dishonestly failing to declare a change of circumstances in relation to housing and council tax benefits and two counts of dishonestly making false statements in relation to the same claims.

Hertsmere Borough Council estimates that overpayments of housing benefit, council tax benefit and council tax support total more than £34,000 and are taking separate action to recover this money.

Mrs Byrne was sentenced to 19 weeks in prison, reduced from 26 weeks, and her sentence was suspended for 24 months.

She was also ordered to do 80 hours' unpaid work over the next 12 months and to pay £80 victim surcharge and £85 toward prosecution costs.

Councillor John Graham, responsible for finance and property, said: "Where fraud has occurred this council will detect offenders and prosecute them. It's very important that those receiving benefits notify the council immediately if there is a change in their circumstances.

“This helps us to ensure that benefit payments reach those who need them the most."