A BENEFIT cheat who defrauded the council of more than £2,700, and then failed to appear in court, has been caught and sentenced.

Laura Kolosa, formerly of Folly Lane, Bewsey, failed to attend court in September this year and was arrested at her new address in Cambridgeshire.

The 24-year-old appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to benefit fraud.

Between November 2013 and September 2014, Kolosa was claiming benefit as a single person but failed to declare that her partner lived with her and was overpaid housing benefit of £2,785.

As a result, she was sentenced to a 10 week curfew from 6pm to 6am, ordered to pay costs of £200 and pay back the overpayment.

Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits and exchequer services manager, said: “Every day in the UK over 200 benefit thieves are caught – the clear message is – if you commit benefit fraud, you will be caught.”

Anyone who suspects someone is fraudulently claiming benefits should call the council's confidential benefit fraud hotline on 442282 / 442283 or email fraudteam@warrington.gov.uk.