A former benefit fraud investigator who swindled nearly £20,000 in benefits while living with a police officer has been jailed for eight months.

Rachel Wilce, 33, of Landsdown Road, Faringdon, admitted three charges of failing to inform Vale of White Horse District Council of a change of circumstances when her partner moved in with her, Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday.

She cheated the council out of income support of £10,410, council tax benefit of £6,883 and housing benefit of £1,930 over two years, the court heard.

Neil Petersen, prosecuting, said Wilce had claimed benefits since November 18, 2002.

He said she did not tell the council when her policeman partner, whose name was given as Mr Hart, moved in with her in April 2003. There is no suggestion that he was aware of the fraud.

Mr Petersen said: "She was interviewed by investigators on May 12, 2005. She admitted Mr Hart was living with her. She had not notified them of a change in circumstances."

Graeme Logan, defending, said: "It would appear that this claim started out as a genuine one.

"There is no suggestion this money was to fund an extravagant lifestyle."

He said Wilce, who had worked for West Oxfordshire District Council as a benefit fraud liaison officer from December 1997 until December 2000, had suffered depression and been unemployed.

He said: "What happened resulted in her daughter, who was 11, leaving the family home, and she (Wilce) buried her head in the sand."

He said there had been discussions between the Vale council and Wilce about repaying the money. Judge David Morton Jack told Wilce: "These offences were so serious that only custody can be justified. Over a period of more than two years you deliberately concealed from the authorities that you were living with a man in work, in relation to three separate benefits.

"You had yourself for some years worked in a housing benefits office in the fraud department. You knew exactly what you were doing and this is not a case of your head being in the sand. On the other hand, you are a woman of 33, of perfectly good character to date."

Mary de Vere, Vale of White Horse Council member for benefit services, said: "This tough sentence sends a powerful message about how seriously benefit fraud is taken.

"I hope this will encourage anyone fraudulently claiming benefit to think again."

Council spokesman Nikki Malin said the the council tax benefit was being repaid through deductions from Wilce's partner's salary.

She added that the authority would arrange for Wilce to pay back the housing benefit and, if that fails, take her to the county court.