A mother-of-six who fraudulently claimed more than £69,000 in benefits has been jailed for two years.

Elaine Breach of King Henry's Drive, New Addington, was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on November 17, following a joint prosecution by Croydon Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The 44-year-old was found guilty of 10 charges after dishonestly telling the council's benefits department and the DWP she was a single parent, when in fact she was living with her husband Geoffrey Stone.

During the trial three members of Breach's family acted as witnesses and gave evidence in her defence, but the group are now facing perjury charges after she admitted the scam.

Judge Heather Baucher called for their evidence to be investigated by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Sentencing the former William Hill betting shop employee, Judge Baucher said: "This fraud was calculated and sophisticated and had been perpetuated over a long time and would have continued, had it not been for the diligent investigation, which was to the credit of the investigating authorities."

After the sentencing, Councillor Dudley Mead, the council's cabinet member for finance and resources, said: "This woman cheated money that is meant to help people in real need.

"She used it as an extra lifestyle fund but she is not paying the price for her greed.

"Benefits cheats should be warned this is what can happen if you swindle the system."