Jayne Hudson, 42, admitted three charges of benefit fraud over
almost four years.
She had married Sandra Green in April 2006, shortly after civil
partnerships were introduced - but never informed the relevant
authorities, The Sun reports.
Hudson claimed the pair were only friends who visited each other
on occasion, but the Department for Work and Pensions discovered
that they were using a joint bank account registered to one
address, which they shared as the marital home.
In total, Hudson, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was given £18,721
in income Support, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
She was given an 18-month conditional discharge at Stafford Crown
Court and told by Judge Michael Challinor that she "should be
ashamed".
