A WOMAN who fraudulently claimed about £2,400 more in benefits than she was entitled must do 100 hours unpaid work.

Debra Allix, 50, of Hornbeam Close, Brentwood, has to also pay back the money to Brentwood Council after she admitted to benefit fraud.

At a hearing in Basildon Magistrates' Court on December 20, Allix pleaded guilty to claiming £2,336 in housing benefit between October 8, 2010 and November 25, 2012.

She also took home an extra £95.59 in council tax benefit between November 1, 2010 and August 28, 2011.

Allix was in breach of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 as she had failed to notify the authority she had a second job as a cleaner.

On Friday, January 17, she was handed the community order and told to repay the extra money she had claimed.

Along with this, Allix was also ordered to pay £200 costs and a £60 victims surcharge.

Anyone who believes a person is claiming benefits illegally should contact the council's fraud hotline by calling 0800 0281492 or emailing revenue@brentwood.gov.uk.