A Suffolk mother-of four dishonestly claimed benefits by failing to tell the authorities she was living with her partner, it has been alleged.

Before Ipswich Crown Court today (Wednesday) was Fiona McIntosh, 42, of Lime Tree Avenue, Leiston, who has denied three offences of fraud between August 2011 and November 2012 and three similar offences between February 2014 and December 2015.

It is alleged she dishonestly received income support, tax credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit while she was living with her partner as husband and wife.

Charles Digby, prosecuting, said benefits were means-tested and relied on the authorities knowing a household’s income.

“If you have got your partner living with you and he has a job and is getting money in each week it is a different thing and that’s why the authorities need to know what the position is,” said Mr Digby.

He said there had been a time when McIntosh’s partner wasn’t living with her but she hadn’t told the benefit authorities when he came back.

Mr Digby alleged that McIntosh’s partner used her address to get a car loan and his banking documents were also sent to the address.

The trial continues.