Light sentences for Herts benefit cheats

A benefit cheat from Hertford who claimed more than £19,000 she wasn't entitled to, after failing to disclose a £23,000 compensation claim, was spared jail. Dawn Pearce was given a six-month suspended jail sentence and an 18-month supervision order by a crown court judge after she admitted four counts of benefit fraud.

At Hertford Magistrates Court, a 46-year-old Ware woman has been convicted of benefit fraud for the second time in two years.

Rita Jones had begun full time work but failed to tell East Herts Council. She admitted being overpaid £999.75 in housing benefit and £379.35 in council tax benefit between August and November last year.

Before sentencing, the court heard that Jones had been given a 12-month conditional discharge for similar offences in May 2007. But she was just fined a total of £250 for two counts of benefit fraud and ordered to pay £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Oh and by the way both women will also have to pay back the money they defrauded.

• People convicted of benefit fraud who don't receive a custodial sentence should have to do unpaid work.
  
  Benefit thieves should also have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have.