A mum and daughter fraudulently claimed more than £21,000 in benefits over two and a half years, a court was told.

Sarah Gibson, 28, of Addington Road and mum Helen Barry, 55, of Purley Park Road, admitted making the dishonest claims after their fraud was exposed by Croydon Council.

Miss Gibson failed to notify the council's benefits department that a property she had rented and claimed housing benefit and council tax relief for belonged to Noel Quinn, the father of her youngest child.

Instead, she maintained the property, in Godstone Road, Kenley, was rented through an agent called Mr H. Barry.

The council's fraud investigation team discovered that Mr Barry was in fact Helen Barry, Miss Gibson's mum.

They were both formally interviewed and admitted the scam of obtaining benefits by deception, which resulted in a total overpayment of £21,418.54 for the period September 2002 to February 2005.

Sarah Gibson was given a two year supervision order, a community punishment order of 100 hours and ordered to pay back the money.

Helen Barry was given a community punishment order of 80 hours and ordered to pay £500 costs towards the prosecution.

In passing sentence, Judge Simon Pratt said they were fortunate not to go to prison, as it was a clear scam to get the residents of Croydon to pay Mr Quinn's mortgage.

He warned that if they breach the orders, they would immediately go to prison.

Anyone wishing to report a fraud should contact the 24-hour Fraud Line free on 0800 328 9270. Calls can be anonymous.