AN EXOTIC dancer and mum-of-two has admitted three counts of benefit fraud in which she pocketed more than £7,000.

Rebecca Burrows, 29, of Lindens Terrace, Newton Abbot, worked as an exotic dancer in Temptations in Plymouth, Tiffany's in Exeter and former strip club Whisperz near Torquay seafront.

She also claimed income support, housing and council tax benefits between May 2 2007 and November 18 2007.

Newton Abbot Magistrates Court heard Burrows was a single mum.

The Department of Work and Pensions began investigating claims Burrows was working whilst in receipt of benefits in September 2006.

Prosecutor Philip White said: “In the first interview she flatly denied the whole thing. Further inquiries were then made and it was discovered that she had been working as a pole dancer at Tiffany’s Exotic Dance Venue where she was paid £233 per week.

“She then moved to Whisperz in July 2007 and stayed there until the October where she earned about £1,000 a month.”

Mr White told magistrates Burrows had admitted working whilst claiming benefits in a further interview in July 2008.

He said: “At the end of the interview the defendant was asked if she had worked anywhere else and she admitted working in Temptations in Plymouth where she earned £240 per week.

“She said she needed the money to pay off debts to her ex-partner. In total she was overpaid £7,248.71.”

Burrows, who is now a care worker, was not represented by a solicitor.

She told magistrates: “I had a very abusive partner for three years and he left me up to the eyeballs in debt. It was the only way I could pay it without having things taken away from my children.”

Magistrates adjourned the case until Friday, December 4,for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.