A Newtownabbey woman has been convicted of benefit fraud after failing to declare she was living with a partner while claiming Housing Benefit.

Christine Craven, 40, of Bawnmore Drive, Newtownabbey, received a four-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months at Laganside Magistrates’ Court.

She had claimed £14,727 in Housing Benefit without notifying the Department for Communities of her change in circumstances.

The fraud was discovered following a departmental investigation. Ms Craven is required to repay any outstanding funds wrongly obtained.

The Department for Communities encourages anyone suspecting benefit fraud to report it anonymously.