A THEATRE nurse who lost her job through a back injury later defrauded the tax payer of more than £21,000 in benefits.

Preston Crown Court was told that 59-year-old Jane Harrison embarked on the fraud due to financial difficulties and had not spent the money on an extravagant lifestyle.

Harrison, of Dorset Avenue, Darwen, had been committed for sentence to the crown court after admitting making a false representation.

Jacob Dyer, prosecuting, said Harrison had claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit.

The total amount she had claimed when not entitled to, between December 2003 and February 2009, totalled £21,108.

Harrison had an occupational pension from the health service and had that been declared, she would not have been entitled to the benefits. When interviewed, she said she had injured her back, and was not able to pay her mortgage, or cope with her debts.

She had lost her house and was in rented accommodation.

Simon Mintz, defending, said Harrison had had a good career until her accident.

She was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years and will be supervised for two years.

The money was being clawed back from the benefits she was receiving.