A Weybridge woman has been told she has to pay back nearly £10,000 in benefits, after being found guilty of fraud at Guildford Crown Court.

She was one of two people successfully prosecuted by Elmbridge Council last month for benefit fraud, meaning already this year 13 people have been caught out.

On Friday, February 19, the court heard that Lilian Boyce, 62, from Kemble Close, had not told authorities she had started paid employment and in that time picked up £1,577.67 in jobseekers allowance and £7,673.04 in housing benefit.

She had also been given £192.85 in council tax benefit, meaning the total amount to pay back was £9,443.56.

She was also given a 15-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and will have to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

The council’s second successful benefit fraud prosecution occurred on Wednesday, February 24, when Stephanie Major, from Old Palace Road in Weybridge, admitted she had failed to tell the authorities she had changed her address and was wrongly paid £3,731.68 in housing and council tax benefit.

She was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay back the benefits.

She was also ordered to pay Elmbridge Council £200 in costs.

Councillor John O'Reilly, portfolio holder for housing, said: “I am pleased to note further successful prosecutions for benefit fraud bringing the total for the year to 13.

“Our partnership working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the use of sophisticated electronic data matching is making it easier to identify and bring fraudsters to justice.”

A spokesman for Elmbridge Council urged anyone who suspected someone of committing benefit fraud to contact them on 01372 474291 or benefitfraud@elmbridge.gov.uk, or alternatively contact the National Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440.