A WOMAN from Wisbech has been jailed for eight weeks for falsely claiming benefits totalling �35,575 over four years.

Judith Carmichael, of Boyces Road, Wisbech, made repeated claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit and Income Support at various times between May 2007 and March 2011.

She said she was a single parent living alone. However, following an anonymous tip-off in 2009, a lengthy investigation by Fenland District Council and the Department of Work and Pensions proved that she had a partner living with her and that he was in full-time work.

The investigation showed that she was overpaid �20,382 in Housing Benefit, �2,394 in Council Tax Benefit and �12,419 in Income Support.

Mrs Carmichael was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court.

Councillor Kit Owen, FDC’s portfolio holder responsible for benefits, said: “We welcome this sentence. We hope its severity will discourage anyone else tempted to lie about their circumstances.”