A FRAUDSTER cheated more than �5,000 out of the benefit system so she could pay off her debts. Natalie Shaw got a job at the One Stop store in Ely – but failed to tell the Department of Work and Pensions or East Cambridgeshire District Council that she wa

A FRAUDSTER cheated more than �5,000 out of the benefit system so she could pay off her debts.

Natalie Shaw got a job at the One Stop store in Ely - but failed to tell the Department of Work and Pensions or East Cambridgeshire District Council that she was employed.

Forty-six-year-old Shaw worked for 39 weeks while continuing to claim benefit, city magistrates were told by prosecutor Lowri Roberts.

Shaw - who is a carer for another woman with medical problems - was overpaid �4,392 in Income Support between August 2007 and May 2008.

She also received �561 in housing benefit, and �172 in council tax benefit, that she was not entitled to, between October 2007 and April 2008.

"She has been repaying the money from her income support payments," added Miss Roberts

Shaw, of Chiefs Street, Ely, admitted two charges of benefit fraud, committed when she failed to notify a change in her circumstances. She was given a two-year conditional discharge and must pay �150 costs.

Mitigating, Michael Judkins said Shaw was initially asked to work 16 hours a week, but her work hours increased when another member of staff became ill.

"Initially she intended to notify the change. But because of her substantial debts she did not do so.

"The opportunity to earn money gave her the chance to clear that indebtedness, and most of it was cleared.