A 34-YEAR-OLD mum has avoided jail after admitting illegally claiming more than £30,000 in benefits.

Department for Work and Pensions investigators discovered Joanne Garratt, of Queensmead Road, Bromley, had been claiming income support as a lone parent while at the same time she was living with her partner, buying expensive jewellery and purchasing houses.

Garratt, who pleaded guilty to one charge of benefit fraud at Croydon Crown Court, was given an 18-week prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to do 200 hours community service.

She has also been told to pay all the illegally claimed money back.

A confiscation hearing has been scheduled for November.