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A mum who claimed to be single to rake in more than £31,000 in benefits was exposed when her wedding photos were posted online.

Stephanie Abbey claimed income support, housing benefit and child tax credits despite having a long-term partner.

Leeds Crown Court heard the 25-year-old made a claim for benefits in February 2016 saying she lived in Leeds with just her toddler, Leeds Live reports.

Bashir Ahmed, prosecuting, said an investigation revealed she was in a long-term relationship with a man who worked for Arriva bus company.

The couple made a booking costing around £6,000 in June 2017 for a wedding to take place in July 2018.

(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Facebook photographs were later found of the couple celebrating the event.

Another post was discovered mentioning that the couple were celebrating the fifth anniversary of their relationship and looking forward to their wedding.

Abbey’s partner commented on an image posted October 2016 describing her as his 'rock' for the past four years.

In her police interview, Abbey said the relationship had been 'on and off' and she only put the 'good stuff' on social media.

The defendant's partner was interviewed and claimed he had even slept in his car in the car park at work.

He said the money for the wedding had been given to the couple by relatives.

The prosecutor said inquiries were made to Arriva who said they said he would not have been allowed him to sleep overnight in his car on work premises.

Abbey, of Carlton Lane, Rothwell, Leeds, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud. The total value of the offending was £31,196.

She has two previous convictions, including one for burglary.

Robin Freize, mitigating, said: "They were not in a relationship at the time she made the claim.

"It was on and off to the degree she could have reported a change [in circumstances] three times a month."

Sentencing, Judge Christopher Batty told Abbey: "Public money is tight. Your money was not tight, but you carried on claiming."

She was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 175 hours of unpaid work.