A mother-of-two wept in the dock as a court heard how she falsely claimed almost £30,000 in benefits.

Carla Assirati, 39, of Gomshall Road, Wallington, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud when she appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 27.

The court heard how the personal trainer first began claiming housing benefit in May 2006 but in January 2008 her partner moved in, making her ineligible.

Defending Martin Ingle said: “This is not someone you might expect to see before a court. She is a productive member of the community, works full time and has given up time to raise money for charity.”

In the time from January 2008 to being discovered by Sutton Council workers in April 2011 Assirati falsely claimed £29,565.05.

Chair of the bench Ian McNeil handed her a 24-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, and 100 hours of unpaid community work.

She was also ordered to repay the money and a £100 order of costs.

Mr McNeil said: "The priority is for you to repay this money to the public purse and because of that I have decided to give you a suspended sentence.

"Should you fail to complete the order you shall be back and I am certain the court will have no option but to send you to jail."