A benefit cheat who pocketed more than £100,000 of handouts she was not entitled to has been spared prison.
Lynsey Catley's claims for various state benefits began as an honest one in 2008 but in 2012 her circumstances changed. However she continued to claim tax credits and carers allowance for a further six years and housing benefit, council tax benefit, disability living allowance and income tax support for a further three years, illegally.
By the time her fraud had come to light the taxpayer had been deprived of a total of £102,787. When interviewed about it she admitted failing to disclose her change in circumstances, saying she didn't have financial difficulties or debts and she knew if she told the authorities the money would be stopped.
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Sentencing her at Newcastle Crown Court, Recorder Mark McKone KC said: "The public are outraged by benefit fraud, particularly now. This is a lot of money."
He added: "You deserve to go to prison. Hard-working people pay their taxes to help those who need help and you got help when you needed it."
However the judge said he would suspend the prison sentence after hearing Catley is now working 60 hours a week and paying back her ill-gotten gains. Prosecutors say around £6,000 has been paid back but Catley's barrister said it was more than that.
Catley, 40, of Broomfield, Jarrow, South Tyneside, who has no previous convictions, admitted six counts of benefit fraud, spanning 2012 to 2018 and was sentenced to 19 months suspended for two years with 280 hours of unpaid work.
Nick Lane, defending, said: "The court can have some confidence she is not going to offend again. She was in an abusive relationship and dependent on alcohol. She has given up alcohol, found work. She's very sorry for the offending."
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