MUM claimed almost £16,000 in benefits as a lone parent -- even though her boyfriend had moved in.

Lorraine Pounder, 46, of Travis Street, Burnley, had thought it might be wrong she was getting the cash, but was too lazy to do anything about, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Pounder, whose background was described by a judge as "quite a sad story", was given 80 hours community punishment, after admitting four allegations of failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Judge Beverley Lunt told Pounder although what she had done was serious enough for jail, a community sentence would make her pay something back to society. Judge Lunt added: "Make sure you don't do anything like this again."

The court was told Pounder, who had a son, received income support as a lone parent.

Her boyfriend moved in in April 2002 but she continued to claim without telling the department of her living arrangements, until November 2004. Her partner worked full time.

Louise Whaites, prosecuting for the DWP, told the court that as Pounder was living with somebody benefits would not have been paid for 138 weeks and two days.