A PAIR of benefit cheats have been ordered to pay back thousands of pounds they claimed illegally.

Emma Williams, 33, of Dorchester Court, Kidlington, admitted one charge of benefit fraud at Banbury Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

She did not tell Cherwell District Council her partner had started full-time work and claimed £2,478.86 in housing benefit between January 31 and November 8, 2011.

She claimed to have sent the council a letter about the change but did nothing when the benefits continued at the same rate.

Magistrates told her to pay back the cash, do 40 hours of unpaid work, and pay £500 costs.

And on Tuesday Patricia Cashmore, 57, of Holm Way, Bicester, admitted three counts of benefit fraud after failing to tell the council about pay rises and a private pension.

Cashmore was ordered to pay back the £2,700.37 in housing benefit she fraudulently claimed between January 2009 and November 2011.

She was also given a two-year conditional discharge and told to pay £250 costs.