Sarah Riley, 34, falsely claimed the benefits over a six year period from 2001 to 2007. Norwich Crown Court heard that she obtained a total of £64,433 in income support and £10,225 in housing benefit as well as £1,583 in council tax benefit.
Matthew Edwards prosecuting said that Riley's claim had not been fraudulent from the outset but she had failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions when she had started living with her new partner in 2001.
The court heard that Riley had now split up from her partner and was making efforts to repay some of the money and had paid back more than a £1,000.
Riley of Cremer Street, Sheringham, admitted 10 counts of benefit fraud.
Jailing her for 20 weeks, judge Alasdair Darroch, told her he accepted that prison would be devastating for her but said: “This is a very large sum of public money and there was dishonesty going on for a long period of years.”
He accepted her relationship with her partner had not been stable but said: “I'm unable to avoid a prison sentence.”
Katharine Moore, for Riley said she was of previous good character and her claim had not started out as a false one.
She said the relationship Riley had with her partner was not a traditional one where she received any financial support.
“She was very desperate. She had a very difficult time.”
Miss Moore said the relationship was now over and Riley was now getting the benefits she was entitled to.
“She is doing her level best to repay the cash.”
- And there you have it. Financially she can't lose.
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