A FRAUDSTER who falsely claimed tens of thousands of pounds in benefits from City of Council has been successfully prosecuted following a two-year investigation.

The case of 33-year-old Sarah Beattie was described by the council as one of the largest cases of benefit fraud the city had ever seen.

Over a four-year period, Beattie, of Water Lane, Clifton, falsely claimed Income Support, Housing and Council Tax Benefit as a single parent.

However, a joint investigation by the council, the Department of Works and Pensions and North Yorkshire Police discovered she had been living with the father of her children, Paul Willetts, 40, while he sub-let his own home next door.

Veritau, the company which investigates fraud on behalf of the council, gathered enough evidence to see Beattie admit defrauding the council and Department for Work and Pensions of £20,529 in Income Support, £10,448 in Housing Benefit and £2,415 in Council Tax Benefit.

However the council said it believed the true extent of the fraud to be nearer £60,000.

Max Thomas, head of internal audit at Veritau, said: “In terms of the size of the fraud it’s certainly one of the biggest cases for a number of years.

“We have been investigating it for a couple of years.

“Generally these cases are hard to prove.

“It’s taken investigators a lot of time and effort to get there, but we are just pleased to have reached this conclusion.”

Beattie pleaded guilty yesterday in York Crown Court and was ordered to carry out 250 hours of community service over a 12-month period.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “This is a good result for all of the agencies involved.

“It should send a very clear message to anyone involved with this type of crime that we will continue working together to bring them to justice.”

The council said it encouraged anyone with any information on fraudulent activity to phone its hotline on 01904 552935 or email fraud@york.gov.uk