A mother who fraudulently claimed £65,000 in benefits was jailed for a year.

Cheryl Edwards, 36, was said to be suffering from post-natal depression when she made illegal claims for income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

But Judge Charles Macdonald QC, sitting at Maidstone Crown Court, said the mother-of-two, who also suffers from physical disabilities caused by a stroke while in the womb, had been "persistently and deliberately dishonest".

He said custody was inevitable. "Deterrence is a legitimate aim of the courts for offences of this kind."

Judge Macdonald also added that her illness was no excuse.

Despite the court sentence, however, it is likely Edwards will only serve about six weeks of her sentence before being eligible for the government's early release scheme.

Edwards, of Green Street Green, Dartford, admitted seven offences of making false representations. The court heard the fraudulent claims started in July 2002 and lasted until April 2007. The total overpayment was approximately £65,000.

Edwards started legitimately claiming benefit in 1997 following the birth of her son. Prosecutor Alexander Munro said, however, that Edwards failed to notify Gravesham Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions that from 2002 she was married and living with her husband who was also in receipt of his own income.

"She was claiming the benefits on the basis she was a lone parent living with her two dependent children," explained Mr Munro.

Edwards was interviewed in May 2007 but she did not accept that she had not told anyone of her true status.

"However, all the claim forms made it quite clear she did not inform anyone of that change," added Mr Munro.

Investigating officers compiled evidence against Edwards through the electoral roll, school records and her husband's employers.