A St Albans teacher must carry out 80 hours' unpaid work after being exposed as a benefit cheat.

Debbie Lavelle, 50, received £9,909 in council tax and housing benefit over four years.

She failed the declare that £298,255 had been deposited into her account following her divorce.

Lavelle, of Hill End Lane, St Albans, pleaded guilty to making a false statement to obtain a benefit payment on 21 June 2012. 

She wass given a 12 month community order, with conditions that she carries out 80 hours' unpaid work, pay £85 costs and a £85 victim surcharge.