AN Urmston woman has been convicted of dishonestly obtaining benefits totalling more than £19k.

At Trafford Magistrates Court On February 27, Michelle Wright, 32, of Lyndhurst Avenue, was sentenced to a 12 month community order with a requirement to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £460 towards the cost of the prosecution and a victim surcharge of £60.

Wright dishonestly obtained housing benefit, council tax benefit and council tax support from Trafford Council amounting to £19,321.08.

Wright had claimed the benefits on the basis that she was an unemployed lone parent.

She failed to report the fact that she went back into full time employment a few months after she had made her claim to benefit.

This resulted in an overpayment of benefit between May 2011 and September 2014.

Trafford Council is recovering all of the monies that were obtained as a result of her offences.

Council counter fraud officers were alerted to the case by Trafford Council’s benefit team.

Executive councillor Patrick Myers said: “Time and time again Trafford Council is securing prosecutions on people who, for whatever reason, think they can continue to claim benefits even when their circumstances change.

“I would urge people to take notice of this and make sure that they provide accurate information to the Council not only when they make a benefit claim, but each time there is any change in their circumstances.

“By doing this they can make sure that they do not receive monies which they are not entitled to.”

If you suspect anyone of benefit fraud, contact Trafford Council on 0161 912 2852 or via the Freefone number 0800 328 6340.