Suspended sentence for £26K benefit fraud

A benefits fraudster who wrongly claimed more than £26,000 over two and a half years has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Sarah Leanne Corkill of Westbourne Road in Ramsey appeared before Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks for sentencing.

At an earlier hearing, she'd admitted six counts of making false representations to obtain benefits between May 2018 and November last year.

The court heard she'd been claiming Employed Person's Allowance but hadn't told officials her boyfriend had moved in with her.

Prosecutor Roger Kane told the hearing benefits officers found he'd used her address when he registered a car, and surveillance showed he was living with her.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander said Corkill's partner had clearly taken advantage of the 32 year old, who had otherwise led a blameless life.

She was handed a 14-week jail term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £50 costs.