A MUM who falsely claimed more than £17,000 in benefits to clear some of her debts has avoided prison.

Julie Hills, of Exeter Road in Gravesend, was sentenced to 120 hours community service at Dartford Magistrates’ Court on August 16 after admitting three charges of benefit fraud.

The court heard she failed to tell Gravesham Council and the Department for Work and Pensions her boyfriend had moved back into her home and continued claiming single parent benefits.

They decided together that she should carry on claiming the benefits to help them clear some of the debts they had amassed, the court heard.

She falsely claimed £6,177 in income support from August 2007 to September 2009, and £9,019 in housing benefit and £1,817 in council tax benefit from September 2007 to September 2009.

The 38-year-old mother-of-two told the court the false claims were “an act of desperation” and said she is genuinely sorry for what she has done.

Miss Hills, who is now repaying the money, said her boyfriend also wanted the court to know he feels guilty for his part in the offences.

Passing sentence, chairman of the magistrates Michael Fitzsimons told Miss Hills she was fortunate not to have received a prison sentence.

He said: “We could have sent you to prison today, however we have taken into consideration your guilty pleas and, as you are making repayments, we are going to give you the benefit of the doubt.”

To report a suspected benefit cheat, call the council between 8am and 5pm on 01474 33 72 31 or leave a message on its 24-hour voicemail service on 01474 337400.