A BENEFITS cheat who falsely claimed more than £22,000 over five years has been spared a prison sentence.

Laura Ramsey, 26, of Tees Drive, Darlington, was told by Recorder Simon Bourne-Arton that she was very fortunate not to be going to jail.

The mother-of-three was given an 18-month community rehabilitation order at Teesside Crown Court after pleading guilty to five specimen charges of making a false statement or representation in order to obtain benefit.

Ramsey had claimed income support totalling £22,039 between October 1999 and June last year after telling officials she was a lone parent and her only income was child benefit.

It later emerged she was living with a man, who she eventually married.

An investigation by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) had begun into her affairs as a result of information received from the Child Support Agency.

Ramsey at first denied she was living with a man, saying he "only came to visit from time to time".

She later admitted under caution having made false declarations because of a shortage of money.

Sentencing her to an 18-month community rehabilitation order, the judge warned her that she could still face jail of up to a year if she did not comply with the order.

DWP spokesman Andy Collins said after the sentence that Ramsey would have to pay the money back.

He fraud investigators had new powers to search bank accounts and check utility bills and statements where there is a suspicion of fraud, without having to contact the person concerned.