In the latest case, a mum-of-four has been ordered to pay back £19,946 over the next 30 years after being convicted at Northampton Crown Court yesterday.

Kathleen Kelly, 51, of Grizedale Close, Corby, illegally claimed benefits because she didn't tell the council her landlord was the father of her child.

Judge Richard Bray sentenced her to 30 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years, and 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.

As well as having to pay £200 costs, she has also agreed to pay back £48 a month to the council.

Since April 2007, Corby Council has instigated court proceedings against 15 people for alleged housing and council tax offences, 12 of who have already appeared in court and been found guilty.

The authority has also given 33 formal cautions and two administrative penalties – where offenders enter into an agreement to repay the amount taken.

Council leader Pat Fawcett said: "The council takes benefit fraud seriously and will always prosecute people who cheat the system.

"Benefits are there for people who really need it and we need to make sure that it goes to them."

Yesterday the court heard how Kelly started a relationship with a man and had a son in 1992. Her partner bought a house for her in Wensleydale Park, Corby.

Stephen Crouch, prosecuting, said: "She was paying £350 a month in rent. She applied for council tax benefit stating her son was no relation to the landlord."

Between December 1996 and July 2002 she fraudulently claimed a total of £19,630.20 until Corby Council began an investigation into her benefits.

Another £316.17 was claimed illegally between June and October 2006 after she failed to tell the council about an increase in wage from her job as a beautician.

Last month she pleaded guilty on to a charge of making a false statement so as to obtain benefits and one count of failing to notify the council about a change of circumstances.

In court yesterday Judge Richard Bray said: "You will be putting back something towards the community. I'm not going to add to the taxpayers' problems by sending you to prison, costing £850 a week."

On Friday, a 68-year-old woman from Corby who falsely claimed £43,000 of benefits was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence.

Members of the public can report cases where they suspect fraudulent receipt of benefits by calling the freephone hotline 0800 085 5029 or contact a member of staff in confidence on 01536 464097.