A fraudster who claimed more than £22,000 in benefits she was not entitled to do has been spared jail.

Maria Galazzi of Upper High Street, Epsom pleaded guilty to 14 benefit fraud offences at Redhill Magistrates Court on Tuesday September 22.

She received a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay back the £22,481.71 she fraudulently claimed.

She must also pay £1,575 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council investigated Galazzi when a computer check threw up examples of periods of employment she had not declared.

Closer investigation unearthed several different periods of employment both she and her husband had carried out while Mrs Galazzi was still claiming benefits to which she was not entitled.

A council spokesman said: "Maria Galazzi thought she could get away with claiming benefits she was not entitled to –a big mistake and she is now worse off as a result.

"She has also now got a criminal record for dishonesty and will live with a suspended sentence hanging over her.

"People claiming benefit they are not entitled to should be aware that, with more advanced technologies being introduced all the time, they will be caught.”

From October 1 all welfare fraud in Epsom & Ewell will be investigated by the Department for Work & Pensions.

Anyone with information about someone claiming benefits they are not entitled to should call the Fraud Hotline on 0800 85 44 40. Calls are confidential and will be investigated.