AN air hostess dishonestly claimed benefit while living the high life, a court has been told.

Anita Juniper (43), of Wentworth Court, Whitefield, has been issued with a 120-hour community punishment order by Bury magistrates after dishonestly claiming more than £2,000 in housing and council tax benefits from Bury Council.

She falsely claimed the benefits while working as an airline stewardess for Atlanta Airlines.

Juniper pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly obtaining housing and council tax benefits totalling £2,738.51 for a period from September 2003 to July 2004. She was also ordered to pay full costs of £340.52, as well as repaying the overpaid benefit.

Her deception was uncovered by the council's investigators when concerns were raised regarding her declared self-employed income. Juniper was subsequently interviewed and evidence of her previously undeclared paid employment came to light.

Magistrates gave credit to the defendant for an early guilty plea and the fact that Juniper was making efforts to repay the overpayment.