TWO women have been convicted of fiddling thousands of pounds from the benefits system - and they won't go to jail.

Sheila Smith, of Pollitt Close, West Gorton, was given a year's jail sentence suspended for 18 months after claiming more than £39,000 in income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit between March 2003 and February 2008.

Manchester Crown Court was told that she was paid the money because she had failed to tell the benefits office she was working.

In a similar, but unrelated hearing, Melanie Richards, of Priory Avenue, Chorlton, was convicted of fraudulently obtaining housing benefit, council tax benefit, income support and jobseeker's allowance totalling £10,829 between January 2006 and July 2008.

Richards, 31, had also failed to tell the benefits office that she was working and was, therefore, not entitled to have the money.

Both women pleaded guilty.

Richards was given a 40-hour community punishment order with an `activity requirement' and ordered to pay costs of £150.

Smith, 41, was also ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

Coun Bernard Priest, of Manchester council, said: "This woman has been stealing from the people of Manchester and I am pleased that council staff working together with colleagues from the Department for Work and Pensions have uncovered these thefts.

"The message is clear to these people: `We will find out and we will prosecute'."

City treasurer Richard Paver added: "The whole community suffers when individuals commit a crime of this nature.

"Not only does it reduce the money available to those with a genuine entitlement, but it also increases the burden on the council taxpayer."

Manchester has a free, confidential Benefit Fraud Hotline, which members of the public can use to report suspected benefit fraud. The number to call is 0800 783 9668.