A BENEFIT cheat received of thousands of pounds in overpayment after failing to declare a change of circumstances.

In 2015, Sarah Bonner, aged 28, of Haroldene Street in Tonge, made a claim for Universal Credit for herself and her partner Mark Hayes.

However the following year she changed her claim to a single person, after her partner had left their home, and claimed for herself and her three children aged 10, six and three.

Prosecuting, Hayley Bennett told Bolton Crown Court that Bonner then failed to declare that she had again been living with Mr Hayes between July, 2017 and March, 2018.

The Department of Work and Pensions estimated that Bonner had received an overpayment of £8,700, and at an earlier hearing Bonner agreed to the sum and admitted culpability.

Defending, Kevin Liston said: “She has been vulnerable for the majority of her life and she was victim to bullying as a child.”

Bonner was sentenced to an 18-month community order with up to 30 days rehabilitation requirement.

Addressing the defendant, Judge Martin Walsh said: “This is your opportunity to work with the probation service to deal with your issues.”