A Ramsey mother has been convicted of a £7,331 benefit fraud.

Tina Corkish, of North Shore Road, admitted she had not declared she was working at Bar Logo in Ramsey while claiming benefits.

The 31-year-old will be sentenced on December 7 after the preparation of a probation report which will consider all options, including custody.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how Corkish had been claiming Income Support benefit since May 2016.

However, in May 2017 information was received that she had been working at Bar Logo from October 2016 to August 2017, earning between £45 and £280 per week after deductions.

She was interviewed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and admitted she knew that work should be declared and that she had signed forms declaring that her circumstances had not changed.

She said she had been working at the bar between 16 and 20 hours a week.

Corkish said she had submitted a claim for Employed Persons Allowance but had never heard back but no record of her claim was found.

The overpayment of benefits was said to total £7,331.77.

The court heard that Corkish does have previous convictions, including a similar offence in 2011.

Mr Robinson submitted that the case was suitable to remain in summary court.

Defending Corkish, her advocate Peter Taylor said: ’Clearly this is on the cusp of a custodial sentence.

’A high end community service order is maybe what we would hope for, but clearly it is suitable for this court to deal with.

Magistrates ruled that the case will be listed for mention only on November 30 when Corkish will not be required the attend.

Bail continues.

Corkish also appeared charged with a separate offence of throwing litter in a public place.

That case was prosecuted by Jane Gray on behalf of Ramsey Town Commissioners after it was reported by the town warden.

Corkish admitted throwing a cigarette butt onto the ground in Parliament Street in Ramsey and was fined £50.

She was originally issued with a fixed penalty notice but had failed to pay the fine, saying that she had not received the letter.