A WOMAN from Wisbech has been sentenced to 200 hours’ unpaid work in the community for falsely claiming more than �19,000 in benefits.

Heather Pace, of Lonsdale Terrace, Wisbech, had claimed Income Support, Housing benefit and Council Tax Benefit as a single person between January 2010 and November 2011.

However, an investigation by Fenland District Council and the Department of Work and Pensions following a tip-off from a member of the public showed that she had been living with her partner from January 2010, something she had denied when interviewed.

In sentencing her, King’s Lynn magistrates said the deliberate nature of the deceit added to the seriousness of the offence.