A £35,000 benefits cheat has been told by a sheriff she is lucky not to be in jail.
Karen Gillespie, 60, of Shiel Place, East Kilbride, made false claims to obtain employment support allowance and council tax benefit.
She told officials she was single when she had a partner who was in full time employment.
Gillespie appeared for sentence at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
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At a previous hearing she denied obtaining £34,995.20 she was not entitled to between January 2012 and October 2016, but was found guilty after trial.
Sheriff Douglas Brown told her: "This is a serious matter which would lead normally to a substantial custodial sentence.
"However, I have to take into account your age, the fact you have no previous convictions and the assessment that there is minimal risk of re-offending."
The sheriff ordered Gillespie to carry out 300 hours of unpaid community work as a direct alternative to a prison sentence.
She also faces a Proceeds of Crime hearing later this month as the Crown is trying to claw back the money she took.
