KENNET District Council has warned it will prosecute anyone it finds claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit they are not entitled to.

The council's benefit fraud team was delighted when a Ludgershall woman was convicted of benefit fraud and sentenced to a 100-hour community punishment order in addition to having to pay back the £5,650 she acquired illegally.

Carole Richards, 41, of Andover Road, Ludgershall, pleaded guilty last Tuesday when she appeared before Kennet magistrates in Devizes.

Kennet's prosecuting team alleged she had failed to declare that she was working as a tour guide taking holidaymakers abroad. She pleaded guilty and, in addition to the community punishment order and the compensation order, had to pay costs of £50.

Kennet's benefit fraud hotline is on (01380) 734729 or email: BenefitInvestigations@kennet.gov.uk