A benefit fraudster who illegally claimed more than £100,000 by pretending to be a single mother has been jailed for a year.

Teresa Kearney, 49, of Poppy Lane, Shirley, told Croydon Council she raised her children alone despite living with her husband.

She wrongly pocketed £110,845 over six years before being caught following an anonymous tip-off.

She was jailed at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday after admitting five counts of dishonestly making false representations to obtain benefit.

Her conviction followed a joint investigation by the council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Richard Simpson, the council’s director of finance and assets, said: "This was a prolonged fraud which deprived the hard-working and honest taxpayer out of tens of thousands of pounds.

"We are grateful for the anonymous tip-off which led to this prosecution. It goes to show how we rely on members of the public to tell us about any suspected benefit fraudsters.

"Where we believe fraud is being carried out, we will always investigate and see that those culpable are dealt with by the courts."