A SINGLE mother-of-two who pocketed more than £27,000 worth of benefits in her former partner's name was jailed for six months yesterday.

Jacqueline Topping, 42, continued to claim Michael Topping's mobility allowance after he started working in Holland and their relationship broke down.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how, for six years, Topping forged Mr Topping's signature and sent her teenage daughter to cash the order at the post office.

She was finally arrested when an anonymous caller alerted the Department of Work and Pensions to what was happening.

Natalie Wortley, prosecuting, said payments were initially issued weekly, then at the monthly rate of £399.40.

Topping, of Southport Parade, Hebburn, admitted the theft of £27,695 between October 1998 and October 2004.

Defence barrister Andrew Holmes told the court: "She was looking after two children as a single parent and temptation got the better of her.

"She was in considerable debt from various sources. She was pressured for repayment and quite frankly she saw no other way forward."