A mum-of-three was found to have claimed almost £20,000 in benefits she was not entitled to after her partner called Medway Council’s pest control department.

Unmarried Melody Hodge, 23, was living with her partner as husband and wife while fraudulently claiming housing benefit of £11,929, council tax benefit of £1,377 and income support of £5,711.

Hodge, of Rochester Avenue, Rochester, also failed to declare she was a full-time student in receipt of student loan income.

The fraud was uncovered after Hodge’s partner contacted Medway Council about a pest control matter and gave the same address as her.

Appearing before Medway magistrates, Hodge pleaded guilty to failing to inform the council and the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in her circumstances.

She was sentenced to 90 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, and will have to repay the overpaid benefits plus the council’s £500 costs and an £80 victim surcharge

Cllr Alan Jarrett, in charge of finance, said: “It’s really important to report changes in circumstances promptly to avoid large overpayments and the possibility of a criminal conviction, as in this case.”