A benefits cheat who falsely claimed more than £15,000 has been told to pay back every penny.

Laura Hutchins, 28, of Springwell Avenue, Mill End, failed to tell the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Three Rivers District Council she was living with her partner.

A member of the public tipped off the authorities that Hutchins’ boyfriend had moved into her home in December 2012.

After an investigation, evidence was found to support the allegation.

Between December 2012 and July 2014, Hutchins was overpaid £5,636.31 in income support, £9,355.10 in housing benefit and £347.87 in council tax benefit.

Hutchins admitted the fraud and was sentenced at Watford Magistrates Court on August 13.

In addition to paying back the benefits she was not entitled to, Hutchins was given a community order to carry out 80 hours' unpaid work within the next 12 months.

She must also pay a victim surcharge of £60 and £85 costs.

Gordon Collins, from the DWP, thanked the person who alerted authorities to the fraud and encouraged other residents concerned a benefit fraud was taking place to report it.

He said: “Laura Hutchins was claiming the benefits from June 2012, declaring there was no other income in the household.

"Following an anonymous allegation by a member of the public, we found she had been living with her partner since at least December 2012 – but she hadn’t declared that to us. When he moved in she should have reported it.”

He continued: “The overpaid benefits will now be recovered by the DWP. We are negotiating with Laura Hutchins about how the money will be paid back. I would like to thank Hertfordshire Constabulary for their assistance in this case.”

Detective Inspector Matt Phillips said: “Hertfordshire Constabulary will continue to support our partners at the DWP in bringing offenders to justice when they have fraudulently claimed benefits which they are knowingly not entitled to.

“We would encourage anyone who has information regarding crimes of this nature to contact the DWP, police or Crimestoppers.”

Cllr Matthew Bedford, Three Rivers District Council’s lead member for resources, said Hutchins had stolen money intended to fund services for the community.

He said: “Public money is intended to fund services to the community and we will not hesitate to prosecute people who have committed benefit fraud.

“I would encourage residents to contact the council in confidence if they have any suspicions of wrongdoing.”

To make an anonymous allegation, contact the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800854440. Calls are free and confidential.