A YORK resident who fraudulently claimed nearly £2,500 of benefits has been ordered to repay the money.

Sonia Short, 33, of Granville Terrace, was also given a 12-month conditional discharge by York magistrates.

She was charged with failing to notify Selby District Council that she was no longer resident at Kelcbar Way, in Tadcaster, while continuing to claim and receive housing and council tax benefit for that property.

Investigations by the authority's counter fraud unit found that Short had vacated the Kelcbar Way property in June 2009 and moved to York without notifying the authority.

Anyone who suspects benefit fraud should phone Selby’s Benefit Fraud hotline on 01757 292230.