by Jenni Horn

A mother-of-three who holidayed in Las Vegas while falsely claiming thousands of pounds in benefits has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Denice Cantlon, 31, claimed more than £10,500 she was not entitled to after failing to tell social security staff she was living with her partner, Shaun Walsh.

The court heard the 31-year-old, of Rectory Close, Wouldham, made the income support, housing benefit and council tax claims between November 2008 and December 2009 while living in Tobruk Way, Chatham.

Paul Green, prosecuting, told Medway magistrates during that time Cantlon and her partner had been on holiday together to Wales and Las Vegas.

Cantlon claimed Mr Walsh had only been staying with her a few nights a week.

But Mr Green said Mr Walsh had a car registered to the address, with Cantlon insured as an additional driver, and he was also paying the satellite TV bill.

Derek Hayward, defending, said: "She does accept she has had money she hasn't been entitled to and she is sorry for that."

Cantlon, who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, was given a 90-day prison sentence, suspended for one year.

She will have to pay back the money she wrongly claimed and £150 court costs.