A woman has been fined after defrauding an authority out of more than £700 in council tax.

Hilda Esewe-Bastel, 49, of Vanguard Way, Braintree, received £726.98 in Council Tax Support she was not entitled to.

Between June 19, 2018, and October 1, 2017, she failed to notify Braintree Council of a change in her circumstances, which meant she was no longer eligible to receive the discount.

On February 16, 2017, Esewe-Bastel also made a false representation to Braintree Council, knowing this would affect her entitlement to Council Tax Support.

At Chelmsford Magistrates' Court last Thursday (July 19), she pleaded guilty to both offences.

She was ordered to repay the Council Tax Support she received fraudulently and was fined £200.

Esewe-Bastel must also paid costs of £350 and a £30 victim surcharge.