A woman from Crawley has been found guilty of benefit fraud after falsely claiming more than £24,000.

Kerry Allen claimed Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support after her husband was believed to have vacated the property in 2009.

A joint investigation between the Council and the Department for Work and Pensions proved the 36 year-old was still living with her husband at the house in West Green.

Mrs Allen had pleaded not guilty to all three counts of benefit fraud but was unanimously found guilty after a three-day trial.

She has been sentenced to a 12-month community order and all overpayments must be repaid.