A WOMAN has been ordered to pay back £11,000 in benefits after she failed to let on she was living with her husband.

Jade Woodman, 24, has been prosecuted for benefits fraud after she was found to be sharing a home with her partner, meaning she received an overpayment of housing, council tax benefit and income support.

This came after a joint investigation carried out by Gosport Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) fraud teams.

Woodman was sentenced at Portsmouth Magistrates Court to a 12 month community order of 100 hours' unpaid work.

Speaking after the court case, Gosport Council leader Cllr Mark Hook said: “We would ask everyone to be watchful and if you believe you know someone is receiving benefit to which they are not entitled, then please call our 24-hour Benefit Investigation Hotline.

“It is the right thing to do, and rest assured, all information received is treated in the strictest confidence.”

The Gosport Benefit Investigation Hotline number is (023) 9254 5545.