A SUFFOLK mother-of-four who carried on claiming benefit after her estranged husband moved back in with her has been given a conditional discharge.

Corin Thomas made a claim for income support and council tax and housing benefit after she and her husband split up but then failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions and Waveney District Council of a change in her circumstances when they got back together, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

In 2007-2008, 28-year-old Thomas received more than �3,000 she was not entitled to, said Juliet Donovan, prosecuting.

Thomas, of Pound Cottages, Oulton, Lowestoft, admitted two offences of failing to notify a change in her circumstances and was given a conditional discharge for two years.

Passing sentence, Judge John Devaux said he was able to take a lenient course with Thomas, who has no previous convictions for dishonesty, because the offences were committed three years ago and the money she had been overpaid would be reclaimed through deductions from future benefit payments.