A fraudster who posed as her own mother to make ill-gained claims trousered £4,599 of taxpayers’ money.

Jenna Fritter, 29, was hauled before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on two counts of fraud by false representation after pleading guilty at a previous hearing.

Fritter, of Godfrey Walk, South Ashford, was snared juggling care allowance packages between two bank accounts in 2016 and 2015, the court heard.

Prosecutor Neil Sweeney added the benefits cheat posed as her own mother, Alison Fritter, to dupe the government into handing over the cash.

“There appears to be transfers of carers’ allowances, it changes particularly between two accounts,” he said.

"Miss Fritter in an interview said that the claims were made by her mum.

“Her mum made a statement to the effect that she did not make a claim at all.”

Fritter hung her head in the dock last Wednesday as Mr Sweeney read evidence to district judge Justin Barron.

The fraud was committed in December 2015 and June 2016, while Fritter was on a suspended sentence for assault, the court heard.

Suspended sentences are when a judge delays a prison sentence after suspects are found guilty, allowing them a probation period.

But after Judge Barron read a report detailing Miss Fritter’s “significant mental health issues,” he said:

“I am not going to send you to jail today.

“I have read your psychiatric report and the issues you have had and you have made progress.

“I don’t think it’s useful to consider Miss Fritter to a curfew.”

There were gasps of relief in the dock from Fritter’s friend and partner as the verdict was passed.

Judge Barron said Fritter, who is on benefits and deemed unfit for work, must serve 15 rehabilitation days to “help maintain progress” on a 12-month community order.

Defending solicitor Stuart Green added efforts should continue to be made on improving Fritter’s mental health.