A fraudster who used a charity as a front to falsely claim more than £48,000 in benefits broke down after being jailed for a year.

Clarissa Ihenacho, of Pemdevon Road, Croydon, was handed the sentence at Croydon Crown Court on Friday after she was found guilty of fraud in October.

The 55-year-old had to be dragged from court following her sentence crying and screaming "I did not do this."

The court heard Ihenacho worked for various charities and used one of them, Family Education Helpline UK, to create a false tenancy agreement.

She claimed more £31,068.58 in housing benefit, £4,956.47 in council tax and £12,168.42 in income support between June 2005 and March 2010.

Francesca Levett, for the prosecution, told the court: "It was sophisticated and professional. There was only one aim in mind and that was to get money.

"This has been designed to acquire assets and there is an element of professionalism about it."

Mrs Ihenacho , who studied at the Sorbonne and claimed to have a doctorate from the university, said she had been a victim of identity fraud and hadn’t committed the offences.

She even blamed a council officer for setting her up, the court was told.

Despite claiming housing benefit and incapacity benefit, Mrs Ihenacho made a mortgage application in September 2008.

She sought £60,000 in home improvements, and said she was self employed by the London Academy Institute and earned £63,000 per year.

Her two daughters and son were in court to hear the sentence.

Judge Andrew Campbell-Tiech, said: "You made a series of dishonest claims. This was sophisticated in the means you went to to get the money.

"During the course of the trail you lied and lied and lied. You suggested that your ID had been stolen and accounts forged.

"You are of previous good character and your children are a credit to you, however I cannot overlook the fraud you have done."