A WOMAN has escaped jail despite pleading guilty to three charges of fraud.

Amanda Eggett, 41, of St Martin’s Close, Chatteris, was given three 12-month suspended sentences at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday.

Eggett was accused of making a fraudulent mortgage application to gain around �72,000 and claiming more than �2,500 in housing and Council Tax benefits.

The single mum, who has a 10-year-old daughter, was told her previous good character and the fact that the mortgage on the property she rents out was still being re-paid had helped her case. Her previous financial honesty and early plea was also taken into account.

Benedict Peers, in mitigation, also said his client had the property revalued in February and it needed severe remedial work which had knocked a substantial sum off its value.

Eggett must also take part in 150 hours of unpaid work and agreed to attend The Dawn Project, a new initiative offering women information and support for aspects of life that they’re not happy with.