INVESTIGATORS uncovered fraudulent housing benefit claims totalling some £150,000 across the Hambleton district over the last 12 months.

Five cases resulted in court action - and two people, including a 66-year-old woman from Great Ayton, received suspended prison sentences.

Altogether the district council’s benefit fraud team looked into 237 allegations and investigated 151 of those in detail.

As well as five ending up in court, some £145,214 of overpayments were recovered, seven formal cautions issued and 13 administrative penalties given - resulting in £4,032 of added penalty.

Cabinet member Coun Tim Swales said: “Fraud is unacceptable and our team works hard to protect the public purse by identifying claims which have been made incorrectly or fraudulently.

“These people are taking public money they are not entitled to and we will not stop at anything to find them - whatever their age or circumstances.”

*The court actions led to:- A 54-year-old man being found guilty of not declaring his partner, causing an overpayment of £4,167. He received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £105 towards costs. A compensation order was also granted for £4,097.

A 30-year-old woman was found guilty of giving false representation by not declaring her partner, causing overpayments totalling more than £17,000. A 200-hour community order was given and the council was awarded £80 towards costs.

A 49-year-old woman was found guilty of false representation by not declaring ownership of shares causing an overpayment of £5,223. Was fined £500 fine and ordered to pay £15 victims surcharge and £100 costs.

A 48-year-old woman was found guilty of failing to inform that her partner had become resident during her claim for benefit, leading to overpayments totalling more than £58,000. She received 24 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and 150 hours unpaid work and a supervision order.

A 66-year-old woman was found guilty of false representation by not declaring full and accurate details when claiming, causing overpayments totalling more than £17,000. She received 12 weeks imprisonment suspended for 24 months, was ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid work and to pay £1,080 towards costs.