A WORKINGTON mum gave false information as she submitted a series of dishonest claims for more than £3,000 in Universal Credit.

Alisha Agnew, 27, wept as a prosecutor outlined her offending at Carlisle Crown Court .

She had earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly failing to ensure that Universal credit payments she was not entitled to were cancelled.

Andrew Evans, prosecuting, said the defendant committed the offences in March and May of 2019 as she filled out online Universal Credit applications.

The prosecutor accepted that Agnew was helped by another person - a man, who had accepted an "administrative penalty". She was prosecuted after failing to respond to the same offer.

Mr Evans said that two minutes after completing her initial claim in March, 2019, Agnew amended it, stating she had private accommodation costs of £1,250.

Three minutes later, she again amended the claim, saying she was the primary carer for three children, whose ages were five, six and eight.

As a result, she was given an advanced payment of £1,514. In a subsequent claim, in May, she again repeated the pattern of entering and then amending the details, at one point indicating that she was seven years older than she actually was.

She also said she was a primary carer for two children aged three and one aged 2. According to her claim, all were born with 384 days of each other. There was a third identical attempt to claim cash but it was declined because of a lack of evidence.

The defendant, of Cross Street, Workington, accepted she lived with her grandparents and never had primary responsibility for children. "The total overpayment was £3,028," added Mr Evans, adding that the defendant was now lawfully claiming Universal credit.

Judith McCullough, for Agnew, said the hospital worker was currently on maternity leve. The barrister added: "These proceedings have been a salutory lesson for this lady.

"She's been visibly upset at court today; and she is not someone who will be back before these courts. She's currently receiving assistance in terms of her mental health."

Noting Agnew had no previous convictions, Recorder Philip Grundy imposed a 12 month community order, with a five month 6pm to 8am curfew.