Jail for £29k benefit thief but where's our money?

A council cleaner who fraudulently claimed £29,554 in benefits has been jailed for nine months.

Benita Liu carried on claiming income support and job seeker allowance even after she got a job with Liverpool Direct Limited (LDL), a company part-owned by Liverpool City Council.

Liu, of Gloucester Court, Kensington, gave a false name, fake National Insurance number and made-up date of birth to LDL.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how the mother-of-three used the money to fund her abusive partner's gambling addiction.

htp Dave

• These people do it for the money. So hit them in the pocket. It was money that motivated them, and a financial penalty will help to deter them.
  
  People convicted of benefit fraud should have to repay twice what they've stolen, and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have. A confiscation order should be automatic and immediate.
  
  If you don't punish people who are convicted of an easy crime, the offence will continue to look attractive.
  
  Theresa May, please note. Taxpayers lose around £3.5bn a year to benefit fraud.