A woman who fraudulently claimed almost £15,000 in benefits has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of community work and pay costs of £150.

Hayley Bates, 28, formerly of Barnett Wood Lane, Leatherhead and now of Randalls Crescent, Leatherhead, is already repaying the amount she falsely claimed.

Bates, who admitted three offences of benefit fraud, was sentenced at Redhill Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 27.

The court heard Bates fraudulently received £12,645.00 in income support, £1,768.33 in housing benefit and £548.52 in council tax benefit between June 2006 and January 2008.

As a single mother, Bates had been receiving the three benefits since March 2000 but investigators heard that she was living with a partner.

Bates was formally interviewed under caution, where she denied permanently living with her partner.

However, her benefit payments were cancelled after investigators found conclusive evidence she was living with him.

She later admitted in court that her partner had in fact been living with her and she had acted fraudulently.

Mole Valley portfolio holder for community and youth, Councillor Janette Purkiss, said “The council takes all allegations of fraud seriously and where appropriate, will carry out a full investigation.

“Thanks to the close working relationship with the Department of Work and Pensions, the council was able to prove Bates had not told the truth and was living with her partner while still in receipt of benefits to which she was not entitled.”

The council runs a fraud hotline on 01306 879284 where people can speak to a trained investigator.

All calls are treated in confidence and your identity will remain anonymous.