Avoided jail: Chanice Bowen, 25, pictured outside Cardiff Crown Court today, was caught in a £22,000 benefits fiddle

A bride was caught in a £22,000 benefits fiddle because she put her wedding pictures on Facebook for her friends to see.

Chanice Bowen, 25, of Barry, South Wales, lied to benefits officials that she was a hard-up single mother - and hid her secret marriage to her fiancé.

But she was caught when officers found a wedding slideshow she posted online, captioned: 'Best years of my life, love my husband.'

Her favourite images included Bowen posing in her white wedding dress, smiling with bridesmaids and the happy couple kissing at the wedding venue.

A court heard Department of Work and Pensions officials asked her what she was doing on the date of her dream wedding - but Bowen replied: 'I can't remember.'

Bowen admitted three counts of dishonestly failing to disclose information but avoided prison after being sentenced to ten months in jail, suspended for two years

She was paid thousands in income support, council tax and housing benefit after claiming she was a single parent after splitting from boyfriend Lee Mapstone.

But Mr Mapstone, 26, was working as a mechanic - and the pair were man and wife for three years before her fiddle was discovered.

Chanice Bowen (left), 25, of Barry, South Wales, lied to benefits officials that she was a hard-up single mother - and hid her secret marriage to her fiancé Lee Mapstone (right)

Bowen was caught when officers found a wedding slideshow she posted online captioned: 'Best years of my life, love my husband'

Bowen, pictured outside court today, admitted dishonestly failing to disclose information

Prosecutor Andrew Davies said: 'This is a case that was fraudulent from the outset.

'In January 2013 Bowen wrote a letter saying Lee Mapstone had left the family home. As a result she received an increase in benefits as a single parent and someone not in work. But they married at the civil register office on October 10, 2013.

'In December 2015 she was interviewed under caution. She said she couldn't remember what she was doing on October 10 - the day of her marriage to Lee Mapstone.'

Cardiff Crown Court heard how DWP officials had discovered her Facebook page detailing her loving romance with Mr Mapstone

The photos showed 'highlights' of Bowen's life including the birth of her daughter, a holiday to Spain and her secret wedding to her husband.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly failing to disclose information after being overpaid a total of £21,696.76 between January 2013 and November 2015.

Adam Sharpe, defending, said: 'She accepts she embarked on this enterprise out of greed, albeit to support her daughter.

Her favourite images included Bowen posing in her white wedding dress, smiling with bridesmaids and the happy couple kissing at the wedding venue

A court heard Department of Work and Pensions officials asked her what she was doing on the date of her dream wedding - but Bowen replied: 'I can't remember'

Bowen was paid thousands in income support, council tax and housing benefit after claiming she was a single parent after splitting from boyfriend Mr Mapstone

'She is in a stable relationship and actively seeking employment and is fit for work.

'The effects of sending her into custody would have a particularly devastating impact on her family.'

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC told Bowen that she had acted out of 'greed' rather than 'need'.

He said: 'Offences such as these are easy to commit but often difficult to detect. People like you consider the DWP a soft touch.

'It impacts public funds, and puts a strain on the public purse in paying those who are entitled. This was a case of greed not need.'

But she avoided jail today as the judge told her: 'You have escaped immediate custody by a cat's whisker.'

Judge Hopkins suspended her ten-month prison sentence after deciding jailing Bowen would have an 'enormous' effect on her daughter.

Mr Mapstone, 26, was working as a mechanic - and the pair were man and wife for three years before her fiddle was discovered

Cardiff Crown Court heard how DWP officials had discovered Bowen's Facebook page detailing her loving romance with Mr Mapston

The judge said: 'You've experienced, albeit for one night, what it's like to be kept in Her Majesty's prison. I'm sure it was a shock for you.

'You are clearly a devoted and good mother. The effects on your child would be enormous.'

He ordered her to pay back every penny - and was told she had already paid back £2,000 over the last year.

He said: 'It's unusual, though not unique, that someone as young as yourself could have paid back as much money in the last 12 months or so.

'It would be beneficial for the public that you continue to doing what you are doing.'

Bowen was sentenced to ten months in jail, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work within a year.

She was also ordered to pay both £500 towards prosecution costs and a £20 surcharge within three months.

Bowen avoided jail today as a judge told her: 'You have escaped immediate custody by a cat's whisker'

Bowen was sentenced to ten months in jail, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work within a year

A DWP spokesman said: 'Most people claiming benefits are honest, but there are the unscrupulous minority who cheat taxpayers' money out of our welfare system and divert it away from those who really need it.

'People pretending to live alone to get benefits is one of the most common types of benefit fraud, and this case shows our investigators are bringing criminals to justice.

'Failure to report a change in circumstances that may affect your benefit claim, such as a partner moving in, is a crime.

'Small amounts of weekly overpayments build up and you could end up having to pay back tens of thousands of pounds. '

'People must tell us if their situation changes before it's too late. If you suspect someone of fraudulently claiming benefits, then call our National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440.'