A Ramsey woman has been sentenced to 200 hours’ community service for £21,670 benefit fraud.

Barbara Anne Coney, whose age was not given in court, of Close Ollay, didn’t tell authorities that her partner was living with her while she claimed income support benefit.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to seven counts of making false representation to claim a benefit.

The court heard that she is already paying back the overpayment at a rate of £80 per month.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court Coney was claiming income support as a lone parent between May 2016 and August 2017, and October 2017 and March 2018.

However, during those periods the DHSC became aware that her partner was living with her at the same address.

She was put under surveillance between February 22 and March 9, 2018 which established that he would leave early in the mornings then return at night.

Coney stated that he was living at a separate address but checks with the owner of that property confirmed that her partner was not living there.

She was interviewed by the department in April 2018 and claimed that she had written a letter advising that her partner had moved in with her but no letter was ever found.

She said that he only stayed with her three nights a week and the rest of the time was not living there.

However, when questioned further Coney admitted that the man had been living with her and that they were in a relationship.

Defence advocate Louise Cooil handed in three character references on behalf of her client and said that the offence had not been fraudulent from the outset.

’Both initial claims have been genuine,’ said the advocate.

’She made the initial claim when her partner had left the home and not returned for a period of time. The relationship continued off and on, in and out of the home.

’The money has not been used to lead a lavish lifestyle, it has simply gone to the benefit of the family.’

Ms Cooil went on to say that Coney had been paying back the money at a rate of £80 per month for just over a year now, and was no longer claiming benefits having sought out employment.

The advocate also asked for her client’s article eight human rights to be considered as she said that Coney was the primary carer for her two children.

Magistrates also ordered her to pay £50 prosecution costs by the end of January.