A JUDGE has told a woman who defrauded a charity helping floods victims that: “While other members of the community helped during the floods, you helped yourself.”

In sentencing 33-year-old Nicola Moore, at Carlisle Crown Court, he added: “You blubbed in evidence, not out of remorse or shame but because you had been caught."

The mum-of-two, Windsor Road, Workington, had denied making bogus applications to Cumbria Community Foundation's floods appeal, which issued cash handouts to victims of last December's disaster.

But following at trial, jurors unanimously found her guilty.

Following sentencing, the chief executive of the charity has spoken of his disappointment. Andy Beeforth, of Cumbria Community Foundation, spoke following the sentencing of Nicola Moore, 33.

Mr Beeforth told the News & Star : “We are disappointed that a fraudulent claim was made. However this is just one among literally thousands of legitimate requests that have been made and supported.

“We continue to provide much-needed help to flood affected families and know this conviction will help deter any further false claims.”

Moore was remanded in custody by Judge Peter Davies following her conviction for two fraud crimes earlier this week.

She was brought back to court to receive her punishment - almost exactly a year after her rented home was deluged.

Giving evidence during the trial, Moore tearfully told how she was left homeless after her former home in Workington was flooded.

Having been made aware that grants were available from the Cumbria Community Foundation charity, she lodged a first application in mid-December.

Moore was awarded £1,250 having claimed for a host of flood-damaged property.

But this included carpets and a fridge-freezer which, it later emerged, belonged not to her but the landlord.

Moore admitted some of that money was spent not on replacement domestic items but on Christmas.

And Judge Davies noted during the sentencing hearing: “Buoyed, doubtless by the ease with which you received that money, you applied for more.”

Moore’s second application, made in late January for about £6,000, was found to list some items she had already claimed for and been paid.

When charity representatives became suspicious, that claim was halted and an investigation was launched.

She was asked to hand back £750 from the initial payment but failed to do so.

Moore emotionally maintained her innocence throughout the trial.

But, sentencing her, Judge Davies said: “You are consumed by self-regard.

“You blubbed in evidence, not out of remorse or shame but because you had been caught.

“While other members of the community helped during the floods, you helped yourself.”

Judge Davies noted a marked impact of three nights in prison upon Moore.

He imposed an 18-month jail term which was suspended for two years.

Moore must complete 250 hours’ unpaid work, observe a two-month night-time curfew and pay £350 compensation to the foundation.

Judge Davies stressed that his sentence for “serious offences” should not be seen as “trivial”.

He warned Moore not to breach the sentence she had been given, telling her: “You know what is at stake given the last three days.

“Don’t let the memory leave you.”