A GREENLANDS woman narrowly escaped a prison sentence after pleading guilty to benefit fraud.

Kelly Ebanks, of Wishaw Close, was sentenced to a 240-hour Community Punishment Order by Redditch Magistrates last Tuesday.

The court heard a visiting officer reviewing her claim for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in December 2004 had noticed wages being paid into her bank account.

The mother of two told the officer she was allowing a friend to have her wages paid into the account, but further investigations revealed Ebanks had worked for a local cleaning company between July and December 2004.

The court heard this was the third time Ebanks had been prosecuted for benefit fraud and the last occasion she was initially sentenced to two months' imprisonment, which was reduced on appeal to a two-year Community Rehabilitation and 80 hour Community Punishment Order in August 2003.

Ebanks was ordered to repay the £812.38 benefit still owing to Redditch council and £50 towards prosecution costs. She was also told had she not entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, she could have been facing a five-month prison sentence.

A spokesman for Redditch Council said it was disappointing she had gone on to commit further offences, particularly in light of the sentences given in the previous prosecution.

"But we were left with no option than to take her to court again. Our aim is not only to detect fraudulent claims for benefit but to prevent offences being committed," he said.