A mother-of-four who illegally claimed more than £15,000 of benefits escaped being sent to jail today.

Sandra Paxford wept as a judge at Oxford Crown Court heard she had dishonestly claimed income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit over 18 months.

Paxford, of Desborough Crescent, Rose Hill, Oxford, had earlier admitted three counts of failing to declare a change in circumstances after her husband moved back into the family home in 2004 and had a full-time job.

Henry James, defending, said Paxford, 52, had not worked for 30 years and could not read and write.

He said: "Mrs Paxford does present a pathetic figure. There is no suggestion of any lavish lifestyle.

"It was simply trying to obtain money to keep the household afloat."

The recorder, Harold Persaud, handed Paxford a six-month suspended jail sentence, put her under supervision for 12 months and ordered her to do 200 hours' unpaid work.