A Blackburn woman fiddled her benefits to the tune of more than £4,000 by claiming for children that she didn’t have.

Michelle Marsden falsely claimed Universal Credit payments on three occasions, in 2018, 2019, and 2020, amounting to a total of £4,278.36.

Blackburn Magistrates’ Court heard the 59-year-old had filled out forms in September 2018, claiming £1,278.40; in June 2019 claiming £1,525.44; and again in April 2020, claiming £1,475.52.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said the applications for money included false claims for children and housing, when there was no trace of Marsden having any children to claim for, and no further proof had been provided on her benefit forms about her personal circumstances.

Marsden, of West View Place, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three counts of retaining a wrongful credit.

Mr Saeed also said that to date, Marsden had paid back £553.08 of the £4,278.36 she wrongfully received.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said: “You pleaded guilty to a series of offences that involved you basically defrauding the welfare system.

“You wrongfully claimed close to £5,000 between 2018 and 2020, which is a long time ago now.

“I am not sure why it has taken so long for this matter to be brought to court.

“You know this sort of offending undermines public trust in the welfare system and there are many people who should claim and are entitled to claim benefits and integrity therefore is important.

“I am treating this as an isolated incident. You are of good character.

“I am going to fine you. Normally I would have imposed a community order but I can see what your circumstances are, and you are in full time employment doing shift work, and I am treating you as being very low risk of re-offending.”

Marsden was ordered to pay a £276 fine, a £110 surcharge and £85 in costs.

She must also pay back the remaining money she owes, which is £3,726.28.