A MUM-of-two cheated taxpayers out of more than £7,000, a court heard on Tuesday.

Michelle Fisher, of Vulcan Close in Padgate, falsely claimed income support, housing benefit and council tax between January and October 2003.

Warrington Magistrates Court heard that she failed to declare she was living with her partner at that time.

Peter McKenna, defending Fisher, said that her partner was not the most reliable of people, and that Fisher was reluctant to declare they were living together until she knew that she could bank on his support.

He said: "She is a woman not disposed to violence and who cautiously did wrong.

"These matters have been hanging over her since October 2003."

Fisher, aged 26, pleaded guilty to the charge, which relates to £4,144.65 in income support, £2,651.20 in housing benefit, and £268.40 in council tax, back in April.

She was sentenced to a 150 hour community punishment order and £75 costs to be paid within 28 days.

Adrian Webster, the borough council's benefits manager, said: "Benefit cheats must realise that they cannot abuse the benefit system and steal from the rest of society.

"They are not just defrauding the Government, but their own taxpaying neighbours and communities in Warrington.

"Fraud is theft and this case is a clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit fraud.

"We are introducing new methods of data matching - the message now is benefit cheats will be caught - and we are reducing the amount of money lost through fraud and abuse."