Sunderland teaching assistant fraudulently claimed more than £5,000 in housing benefit

The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

Mum Sharon Burnhope, 49, of Houghton Road, Hetton, pocketed the cash over two-and-a-half years, a court heard.

She confessed to the offence after she realised benefits investigators were on her tail after uncovering her marriage certificate.

Prosecutor Jeff Taylor said the divorcee and her husband had married on July 26, 2014 – seven months after her genuine claim was approved.

But the primary school worker continued to pocket funds even after he moved into her home prior to their marriage.

Mr Taylor said: “Mrs Burnhope, under the name Sharon Southgate, claimed housing benefit between December 1, 2013, and July 3, 2016.

“She did so on the grounds that she was a single parent, on a low income, and [her now husband] was her landlord.

“It would appear that she and [her now husband] then got married and she continued to claim housing benefit as a tenant.

“There was an overpayment of £5,353.02. The Department for Work and Pensions were able to get hold of a marriage certificate.

“She made admissions and made those admissions at the first opportunity.

“It was not fraudulent from the outset, but it became fraudulent due to her not changing her circumstances.

“The crown is accepting that it wasn’t fraudulent from the outset.”

Burnhope, who defended herself in court, said she had ended up homeless when her first marriage ended.

She insisted bosses at her school were aware of the legal proceedings against her.

District Judge Kathryn Meek told her: “The whole system relies on trust. It’s a huge expense on members of the public.

“It’s clear to me that it’s gone on for two years and just over £5,000. It is in your favour that it was brought to a close by you. It’s a serious offence.”

Burnhope, who is of previous good character, pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify of a change of circumstances which affected her entitlement to benefits.

She was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and must pay a £94 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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