A MOTHER-of-four has pleaded guilty to two counts of benefit fraud for failing to tell Bury Council that her partner was living with her.

Cherella Gibbs, aged 30, of Lord Street, Radcliffe, continued claiming housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support as a single parent even though her partner had moved into her home.

Investigators looked into the case following a tip-off from a member of the public.

Surveillance showed that her partner left Gibbs’ home each morning to travel to work and returned there afterwards. Further inquiries showed that they had been engaged since October, 2012, and that he was registered at her address for credit purposes and with his employer.

She incorrectly claimed £5,661 in benefit payments and will now have to pay the money back.

At Bury Magistrates Court, Gibbs was sentenced to a 12-month community order to carry out 130 hours of unpaid work and required to pay costs totalling £250.