£32k benefit thief gets short prison sentence

An alcoholic mother claimed £32,589 in benefits for herself and her four children, even though none of them lived with her.

Tracy Williams, aged 34, from Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent, made claims for income support for herself and four children between May 17, 2006, and June 16 last year.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday that Williams had used the money to fund her addiction to alcohol.

She had pleaded guilty to dishonesty in failing to declare a change in circumstances at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Laura Hobson said Williams had completed a number of forms with the inaccurate information and signed declarations saying she would inform the authorities of a change in circumstances.

She said: "Throughout the period, she made her claim on the basis she had four children in her home."

Paul Cliff, in mitigation, said Williams had never been in trouble before and was very ashamed to be before a court.

He said: "You will see that Mrs Williams' life fell apart in 2006. Her drinking was unmanageable.

"At that stage she was dependent on her benefits to fund her addiction to alcohol.

"This is a young woman who made full admissions in her police interview. The pre-sentence report states that the risk of re-offending is low.

"It is quite clear that she has had a problem with drink for a period of 10 years."

Judge Paul Glenn imposed a 14-week prison sentence, of which Williams will serve no more than half.

He said: "Benefit fraud is serious because these types of offences are prevalent and easy to get away with.

"The victims of these offences are the honest people who pay their taxes. You knew it was dishonest because you admitted it in interview.

"You had no doubt got used to receiving that money. You have an alcohol problem.

"You also choose to use cannabis. This suggests to me that your involvement in these proceedings has not had a substantial effect on how you chose to live your life."

One commenter writes:

Seven weeks inside for stealing nearly £40,000? Now there's a way to deter others from doing the same! I wouldn't mind a pay packet of over £6,000 per week for doing nothing but sit in one of HM's hotels.