A judge who sentenced a benefit cheat councillor criticised Oxford City Council for spending an "excessive amount of time" on the case, which led to spiralling costs.

Last month, Olive McIntosh-Stedman, 65, who represents Cowley and Littlemore on Oxfordshire County Council, was convicted of falsely obtaining £3,000 in council tax benefit.

Yesterday she was ordered to pay £5,000 costs and do 50 hours of unpaid community work.

However, Judge Christopher Compston said the amount of time spent by legal experts ahead of the three-day trial was "excessive".

The city council's private prosecution involved 100 hours of work at barrister's fees of £75-an-hour. In all, the Crown Court case cost the taxpayer £14,000 - all of which the council wanted McIntosh-Stedman to pay back.

Judge Compston said: "I think they (Oxford City Council) have spent an excessive amount of time on this case - it could have been done in 50 hours or much less ... it's a very simple case."

Last month, the former nurse was convicted of dishonestly claiming £3,000 in council tax benefit.

A jury took just over a hour to find "financially unsophisticated" McIntosh-Stedman, of Williamson Way, Rose Hill, guilty of making a false statement. She was acquitted of another similar charge.

The charges related to a council tax benefit form completed in 2002, in which she failed to declare the income received from an NHS pension.

She also failed to disclose a savings account and an allowance she received from County Hall that led to her being overpaid by £3,000. She has since repaid the money.

Rachel Drake, defending, said: "I am astounded by he number of hours. The papers were served in such a poor manner the (prosecution) solicitor served all the papers again."

Ms Drake, who argued for a conditional discharge, added: "The main punishment in this case is a loss of public character - and that has been as extreme as you can imagine."

Mother-of-two McIntosh Stedman - a registered nurse with a diploma in women's studies - moved to England with her parents from Jamaica when she was 13.

She has left the Labour Party and now stands as an independent.

Ordering her to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work, Judge Compston said: "My first writing down was much more than that but you have so much else to do, I halved it.

"I find it sad to have to sentence you because I am certain that you have done the state some service and will continue to do so. You have been humiliated enough - it must be very hard for you."

McIntosh-Stedman refused to comment as she left court.

Carol Quainton, investigations manager at Oxford City Council, added: "People who commit benefit fraud are illegally taking money from taxpayers."