A KIDDERMINSTER woman has been found guilty of claiming more than £1,300 in housing and council tax benefits after failing to tell authorities of a change in her circumstances.

Tina Rutter, previously of Windsor Drive in Kidderminster, was ordered to pay back the £1,342 she had claimed between August and November 2012 and £300 prosecution costs.

Rutter, 50, pleaded not guilty to failing to notify Wyre Forest District Council of a change in her circumstances.

Nina Dorrell, prosecuting for the district council, told Kidderminster magistrates court that Rutter did not report that she had stopped claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

As a result, Rutter continued to receive housing and council tax benefit that she was not entitled to.

Rutter told the court that she had hand-delivered a letter to the Kidderminster Hub.

A senior investigations officer from the district council and a senior manager from the Worcestershire Hub gave evidence regarding her claim.

In summing up the chairman of the bench stated that the evidence she had given in court was inconsistent and implausible.