Michelle Lockhart, 44, claimed benefits after failing to declare she had been in receipt of a private pension since at least April 2000, and that she had also been employed for more than three years.

Lockhart, of Ringwood Green, Longbenton, received an overpayment of housing benefit of £4,141.75, an overpayment of council tax benefit of £1,273.01 between April 2000 and September 2007 – a total of £5,414.76.

After an investigation by North Tyneside Council's counter fraud team she pleaded guilty at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court to 11 offences of making false representations.

Lockhart was sentenced to a community punishment order, to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. The overpaid benefit must also be paid in full.

After the hearing, Coun Ray Glindon said: "Benefit fraud is not a victimless crime as any losses through fraudulent activity must be recovered from public funds."

"We want to deliver a faster, fairer and more efficient service, so it's important the benefits are going to those who genuinely need them."

To provide information on fraud investigations, contact the 24-hour fraud hotline on (0191) 6432300.