Benefits cheat Shae Hunt, 39, of Horter Close, was found guilty of claiming for benefit for which she was not entitled.

She was convicted of three counts of defrauding Swindon Borough Council and the Department of Work and Pensions. She failed to inform the authorities that her children had been taken from her care, yet Hunt continued to claim income support, housing support and a carer’s allowance.

Hunt admitted stealing £235-worth of alcohol from the Food Warehouse in the company of Ryan Taylor, failing to surrender to the court and breaching a community order by failing to attend appointments.

She was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for a year. She must compete up to 30 rehabilitation activity days and pay £650 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Ryan Taylor, 37, of Boldrewood, pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing alcohol from the Food Warehouse. He was jailed for 12 weeks and ordered to pay £117.50 compensation.