A BENEFIT cheat falsely claimed more than £43,000 after failing to declare she had inherited thousands of pounds.

Kim Pick, from Hextable, continued claiming income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit between August 2004 and February 2008 despite inheriting a substantial amount of money.

The 49-year-old, of Fens Way, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on May 5 after pleading guilty to four charges relating to benefit fraud.

She was given a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 180 hours community service.

The court heard Pick was caught after a routine investigation by Sevenoaks District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) discovered an increase in the interest on her bank accounts.

They inspected the accounts and discovered the inherited money.

Pick claimed she thought she did not have to declare it because she was planning to give it to her children.

She falsely claimed £15,621 in housing benefit and £3,691 in council tax benefit, which she has since paid back, and the DWP is seeking to reclaim the £24,322 income support she received.

The council's cabinet member with responsibility for finance, Councillor Brian Ramsay, says Pick’s sentencing is a warning to other benefit fraudsters.

He said: "We will not stand by as people attempt to defraud the benefits system, and we will use all the tools at our disposal to catch them out.”

To report suspected benefit fraud, call the council’s confidential benefit fraud hotline 24-hours a day, seven days a week, on 01732 227445.