A WOMAN scammed the Vale of White Horse council during a Council Tax benefits con that lasted six years.

Joanne Pepler admitted the one count of fraud before Oxford Magistrates' Court in September.

The 53-year-old of Elswith Close, Grove conned the council between March 23 2014 and April 4 2019.

She failed to nominate another person living with her in order to make a gain in obtaining a Single Person Discount in respect of Council Tax payments.

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She was handed a conditional discharge for 12 months and must pay a victim surcharge of £20 and court costs of £350.

Court documents from the hearing state the woman carried out the offence due to 'a silly protest' and that she did not hide the fact her partner lived there.

Magistrates also heard that she had no previous convictions, the money had been repaid and that 'the experience has been punishment enough.'