A YORK woman who claimed her partner was her landlord has been given a suspended prison sentence for a £9,000 benefit and housing fraud.

Louise Dunham, 29, formerly of Hewley Avenue, admitted claiming housing and council tax benefit, council tax support and income support she was not entitled to after a City of York Council investigation found she was in a long-standing relationship with the person she said was her landlord, and the pair jointly owned one of the properties she claimed benefits for.

The council said her deception meant she unlawfully lived in one of the authority’s houses for five years, although the keys have now been handed back.

Dunham was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.