A pregnant benefit fraudster – who ripped off £42,000 of taxpayers’ money – is to be forced to wear an electronic tag for five months.

The order means Annette Merryweather will be made to stay inside her home in Ramsgate for 12 hours a day... unless she goes into labour.

And a judge told the expectant mum not to complain - because she could be giving birth inside a jail.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how from 2005 to 2011 she had illegally claimed Income Support, housing benefits and Council Tax.

The 21-year-old mother failed to tell the authorities she was living with the father of her seven-year-old child, said prosecutor Judith King.

She said that since the fraud was discovered the authorities had agreed for the money to be repaid through benefits that Merryweather is entitled to receive.

Defending barrister Ian Foinette said that since her arrest for the three frauds – which were admitted – she had become pregnant again.

Meet the oldest couple to be electronically tagged

Judge Adele Williams told Merryweather: "You are expecting another child, which was conceived after you were arrested and charged with these offences.

"You could not in any way, shape or form complain if I sent you to prison immediately."

Merryweather was given a six-month jail sentence - suspended for two years – and will be made to wear an electronic tagging device for the next five months.

That will mean she will have to remain inside her home at Lauriston Close, Ramsgate, between 7pm and 7am... unless she gives birth.

The judge added: "If you do go into labour during the curfew hours, then arrangements will be made to deal with that.

"And don’t complain that you are being made subject to this curfew order because it is a direct alternative to going to prison... and it is designed as punishment."

Merryweather was also ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work for the community.