AN OSWALDTWISTLE mother of three who cheated her way to almost £13,000 benefits she wasn't entitled to has kept her freedom.

Former drug addict and prolific offender Lisa Dwyer, 38, was living with her partner but claiming as a single mother and did not tell the Department for Work and Pensions. She had a record for fraud and theft and had been to jail, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Dwyer was given 150 hours' community punishment and told to pay £200 costs by Judge Pamela Badley.

Sentencing, the judge said she would take a chance on the defendant, but warned her: "You are on borrowed time."

Dwyer, of White Ash Lane, Oswaldtwistle, admitted three counts of failing to notify a change in circumstances to the DWP.

Oliver Cook, prosec-uting, said the offences took place between May 2003 and June 2004 when Dwyer was overpaid £12,665. Her claims for income support, housing and council tax benefits were genuine in 1998.

Hyndburn Council learned the defendant was living with Barry Cooper. They had a child in May 2003 and registered as its parents.

When Dwyer was interviewed in 2004, she said Mr Cooper did not didn't live with her.

Mr Cook said the defendant had 33 previous convictions and had served short jail terms.

She was no longer on benefits but the DWP would try to recover the overpaid money.

Anthony Cross, defending, said the money was not used for a luxurious lifestyle.

Dwyer had been saddled with debt because of her drug problem.