A Southminster mum who didn’t declare she had remarried after the death of her husband has been jailed for four months for stealing more than £100,000 in benefits.

Elaine Kingstone, of Lavender Drive, claimed £33,787 in Widowed Parents Allowance from November 2005 and July 2012.

She also claimed tax credits of £68,877 from April 2008 and April 2013, stating that she was a lone parents.

But she failed to advise that she had remarried in May 2006 and was no longer entitled to claim benefits.

The 51-year-old admitted the charges under the Tax Credits Act 2002 and the Fraud Act 2006 when she appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday.

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