£41k benefits cheat not inconvenienced

Amanda Stone, from Henleaze, who claimed £41,144 between January 2004 and November 2008 as a lone parent, belatedly admitted to authorities she had married – but said her husband turned homosexual and left her.

She legitimately claimed money as a jobless single mother but failed to declare changes in her life such as her marriage to security guard David and her occasional work.

When she was first questioned she fabricated her husband's change of sexual orientation, saying he had gone off to live in Tewkesbury, but then admitted he was actually contributing to her bills.

She received a four-month jail term, suspended for two years.

h/t Dave

• She lied about her circumstances for nearly five years. She took over £40,000 of our money, and when she was caught she lied again. But the sentence doesn't seem to inconvenience her.
  
  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 who don't go to prison 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. 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. Some local authorities think benefit fraud costs each household £80-£100 a year. It's probably nearer £150-£175.