A benefit fraudster who falsely told the council her partner was out of work has been prosecuted.

Paula Winsall, 35, of Cottimore Lane, Walton, pleaded guilty at Staines Magistrates’ Court on December 23, to failing to inform Elmbridge Council of her partner Iain Gunn’s working situation.

This resulted in £5,000 of overpaid benefits between April 2008 and March 2009, the court was told.

Magistrates also heard Miss Winsall had provided a false statement to the council, claiming he had not started work.

Mr Gunn, 36, also of Cottimore Lane, was charged with one offence of failing to inform the council of his work.

The pair were both given a conditional discharge for three years and a collection order for £125 each.

A spokesman for Elmbridge Council said it would seek to recover the outstanding overpayment from Mr Gunn and Miss Winsall.

Julie Cook, the council’s head of housing, said: “We hope this will serve as yet another reminder to all those who receive housing or council tax benefit that any change in employment must be notified promptly to the council.

“Claimants who continue to receive benefits to which they may no longer be entitled will end up having to repay significant sums of money and the consequences can be very serious indeed.”