A WOMAN who falsely claimed more than £13,000 in benefits has been given a suspended jail term following a successful prosecution brought by IW Council at the Magistrates Court this week.

Claire Rose-Viney, 38, of 82 Manor Crescent, Newport, pleaded guilty to three charges relating to benefit fraud at a hearing at Newport Magistrates Court.

She was given a 12 week custodial sentence, suspended for two years with a requirement for a 12 month supervision order, and a three month curfew from 7pm to 7am.

Legal action was brought against her after she failed to inform IW Council of a change in her circumstances.

She continued to claim housing benefit and council tax benefit despite living with her partner and subsequently getting married. As a result, she was overpaid £12,216.24 in housing benefit and £1,513.03 in council tax benefit.