A BENEFIT cheat who admitted making nearly £7,000 of bogus claims has been given a community order.
Rachael Belcher, aged 24, of Penrose Court, Tolvaddon, pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates Court on Friday last week to three counts of benefit fraud.
She failed to promptly report to both Cornwall Council and the Department of Work and Pensions that her partner had moved in with her and continued claiming housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support.
Belcher was handed a twelve week curfew that takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 8am and noon.
She was also ordered to pay £200 towards the investigation and legal costs.
The overpaid benefits are being recovered from Belcher by both Cornwall Council and the Department of Work and Pensions separately from the court action.
Cornwall Council's confidential fraud hotline telephone number is 0800 7316125.
