A benefits cheat was spared an immediate jail term when she appeared in court on her 60th birthday.

Pauline Ann May, of Woodland Drive, Braunstone, Leicester, dishonestly claimed housing and council tax benefit for almost nine years by failing to declare that family friend, Alan Prentice, was living with her.

She pleaded guilty to six charges of benefit fraud at an earlier hearing.

Each offence carries a maximum custodial sentence of seven years or an unlimited fine.

John Hallissey, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court, on Wednesday, there was a total loss to the public purse of £24,631.89.

Paul Trotter, defending, said Mrs May realised what she had done was wrong. She is now repaying the debt at £142 a month.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Pert said this was a "catalogue of dishonesty".

Acknowledging her age, poor health and arrangement to repay the debt, she was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, with supervision.

A spokesman for Blaby District Council said: "We will take action against anyone found to have deliberately withheld information."