Gran, 38, escapes lightly

38-year-old grandmother Rose Robertson, of Bilston, who cheated taxpayers out of £36,623 in income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit over five years, has avoided an immediate jail term.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court she was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 18 months' supervision.

She falsely claimed more than £26,000 in income tax and £10,681 in housing and council tax benefit between January 2003 and July 2008. But she had failed to tell the DWP she was actually living with her husband.

Mr Colin McCarragher, defending, said: “She has always maintained she didn’t really understand the full criminality of what she was doing at the time but she does appreciate that now,” he said.

Recorder James Burbidge QC spared Robertson an immediate jail term but said: “I don’t accept you do not appreciate how serious your offending was. I think you well knew that you were abusing the benefits system so you have not pulled the wool over my eyes.”

h/t Dave

• Nothing bad is going to happen to 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.