A BENEFITS cheat who fraudulently claimed more than £41,000 has avoided prison.

Lisa Farrow, of Fifth Avenue, claimed Income Support, Housing and Council Tax Benefit as a single parent for more than four years.

City of York Council carried out an investigation with the Department for Works and Pensions and North Yorkshire Police, after the authority received a tip-off in 2008 that Farrow lived with her working husband.

The investigation found Farrow, 32, ran a successful business, called MF Tree Services, with her husband Mark, and examination of bank statements revealed in excess of £41,000 passing through the account, which could not be accounted for, but was believed to be earned income from the business.

The fraud took place from July 2006 to October 2010 and as a result of her fraudulent activity Lisa Farrow was paid £27,274.88 in Income Support, £11,786.96 in Housing Benefit and £2,535.50 in Council Tax Benefit- a total of £41,597.34, all of which she was not entitled to.

Both Lisa and Mark Farrow declined to cooperate throughout with the investigation, but Lisa Farrow pleaded guilty in court to all charges and was sentenced to 24-weeks custody, suspended for two-years, and ordered to do 200 hours community service.

A spokesperson for Veritau, who investigate fraud on behalf of the council, said: “We would like to thank the police for their assistance in this case. This is another excellent result for a very serious fraud against the public purse. We encourage anyone with any information on fraudulent activity to phone the hotline on 01904 552935 or email fraud@york.gov.uk”