A BENEFITS cheat risks being made homeless after her offer to pay back a lump sum of her ill-gotten gains followed by instalments was rejected.

Karen Ambler (pictured) owes £16,120 after fraudulently pocketing disability allowances while working as a cleaner.

Ambler, 55, of Burton Street, West Bowling, Bradford, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court in February to a 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work.

She pleaded guilty to failing to notify a change in her circumstances and making a false representation.

Ambler was entitled to Disability Living Allowance because of rheumatoid arthritis in her feet and pain in her lower limbs, but she continued to claim the money after she became well enough to work six days a week.

Between March 2008 and April 2010, she falsely claimed a total of £15,142.

Yesterday, Ambler was back in court for a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Her barrister, Robin Frieze, said she was paying back the money at £100 a month and offered a £9,000 lump sum on top of that.

But Emma Downing, for the Crown, said that offer was not acceptable and the full amount was sought within three months.

Mr Frieze said Ambler was a single woman who would have to sell her home because she was unable to remortgage it.

Judge Peter Benson made a confiscation order in the sum of £16,120.