A mother-of-two who claimed benefits for almost six years while working under a false name has narrowly avoided a prison sentence.

A judge heard that Andrea Burke, 39, was overpaid more than £26,000 between 1999 and 2005 while she worked at a residential care home.

Prosecutor Giles Bridge said Burke used a false name, national insurance number and address when she got the job. Burke, who had no previous convictions, made admissions to the investigators, but Bradford Crown Court heard that her case did not reach the courts until last month.

Burke, who is sole provider for her 15-year-old son, admitted offences under the theft act relating to her obtaining of benefits and the court heard that she had already started repaying the overpayment at the rate of £50 a month.

Burke, of Blyth Avenue, Girlington, had been claiming benefits legitimately since 1992 and Mr Myers said she was struggling to support her two children when the opportunity of some part-time work arose.

Under the order Burke will be supervised for two years and must do 100 hours unpaid work for the community.