A WOMAN who lied about being a single mum to rake in almost £60,000 in benefits dodged prison yesterday 

Beverley Smith, from Darlington, was spared jail so she can look after her children and her elderly mother.

Her barrister told a court she had "no idea how the family would be held together" if she was locked up.

The 45-year-old was given a seven-month suspended sentence and told to do 100 hours' unpaid community work.

The judge, Recorder Andrew Sutcliffe, QC, told tearful Smith. "This was a very substantial sum of money."

She claimed Income Support, JobSeekers' Allowance, Council Tax and housing benefit and Employment Support Allowance.

Teesside Crown Court heard she would have received far less if she disclosed that her partner lived with her.

But her lawyer, Joanne Kidd, said the father of Smith's two children had never behaved like a father should.

Miss Kidd said he left each time Smith became pregnant, and the "volatile" relationship was "intermittent".

"The contact was punctuated by episodes of violence, binge drinking and a gambling addiction.

"Throughout this entire period, he was in employment, however, he has maintained an entirely separate bank account.

"He has not behaved as any father should in terms of the financial support of his children.

"Beverley Smith claimed benefits to provide a financial safety net so she could undertake responsibility for the financial running of the house.

"Her partner would occasionally be living at the property, but then go out on the weekend using what was available from his wages on roulette, other gambling, and as it transpired later, on online gambling.

"She could not rely on him making any regular significant payment towards the running of the house.

"This is not a case where money received was used on any manner of lavish extravagancy, but she took full responsibility for the financial running of the home."

Smith, of Barden Moor Road, Darlington, admitted seven charges of failing to notify a change in circumstances between 2009 and 2013.

Miss Kidd said she has since found seasonal work with a High Street store and hopes to be taken on full-time.

The illegally-claimed benefits are being paid back at £30 a month, and could be increased if she becomes employed.

Mr Recorder Sutcliffe told Smith: "You lied to the authorities, and whatever the deficiencies of your partner in looking after the children, the fact was he was living with you and you were not permitted to withdraw by way of Income Support and other benefits, the sums which you did."