BENEFIT cheats who conned thousands of pounds out of the system appeared before Oxford magistrates.

Philip Royle, 54, formerly of Aldrich Road, in Cutteslowe, and now living in Evesham, admitted benefit fraud of £11,687, receiving housing and council tax benefit and income support while working full-time.

He was ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

Ex-student and auditor Caroline Woolcock, 30, of Faulkner Street, Oxford, admitted claiming £9,721 in housing benefits despite studying at Oxford Brookes University and having a job.

She was bailed to reappear for sentencing on January 29.

Mother-of-three Nicola Gee, 31, of Brampton Road, Barton, Oxford, admitted claiming £8,254 income support while living with her husband and failing to declare a change in circumstances.

Marie DeBanks, 49, of Ashurst Way, Rose Hill, Oxford, admitted three counts of claiming £5,700 in income support and housing and council tax benefits despite living with her husband.

DeBanks and Gee were both bailed to be sentenced on February 5.