A MOTHER of four was yesterday jailed for six months after falsely claiming more than £35,000 in benefits in a six-year scam.

Mabel Little pocketed the money after telling benefits bosses she was living alone as a single mum after partner Roy Shields walked out on her.

But investigators were later tipped off that the pair were living together, and the pair were filmed staying at the same address.

Documents were later uncovered that showed Mr Slater claimed he was living at the home in Fife as brother and sister.

Fiscal depute Susannah Hutchison told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court: "On August 15, 2001 the accused claimed income support claiming she was a single parent having separated from Roy Shields.

Little, 52, of Leven, Fife, pled guilty on indictment to falsely claiming income support benefit between 2004 and 2010.

Sentencing Little, Sheriff Grant McCulloch said: "It is a sad situation that it comes to this.

"For a six-year period you effectively stole from the public purse.

"It's a long period and custody cannot be avoided in this instance."