A KNUTSFORD mother is facing a bill of more than £18,000 after fraudulently claiming benefits for two years.

28-year-old, Amy Wilkinson, of Mardon Close, admitted to two charges of dishonestly making false representations in order to claim benefits, after being caught out by a council-led investigation.

Appearing at South and East Cheshire Magistrate’s Court on April 15, Wilkinson was sentenced to a 24 week suspended sentence, costs of £675 and a victim surcharge of £50.

On top of this, she has been ordered to repay in full, the £17,604 of benefits which she fraudulently claimed.

Steph Cordon, Cheshire East Council’s head of communities, said: “It is a big mistake for fraudsters to think they can get away with claiming benefits they are not entitled to.

“They risk ending up with a criminal conviction for a serious offence of dishonesty and being ordered to repay the money they have falsely claimed.”

In April 2011, the former BA flight attendant applied for housing and council tax benefits, saying that she was on a low income and needed assistance with her rent and bills.

Wilkinson claimed that she had no other source of income and would need the money to support her and her daughter.

She also claimed housing benefits for living a house owned by her mother, as well as receiving support from her partner who moved in back in January 2012.

Over a two-year period, she received a total of £17,604 in state benefits that she was not entitled to.

Wilkinson has appeared in the Guardian before, after she raised more than £1,000 for Tommy’s charity, following the tragic death of her new born son, Billy John Haydock.

Ms Cordon said, “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards benefit fraud because we are determined to ensure that the benefits system works for people who really need help.”

To report suspected benefit fraud, contact the free, confidential hotline number on 0800 389 2787 or via www.cheshireeast.gov.uk