Plymouth mother falsely claimed £46,000 in benefits, court told
A MOTHER falsely claimed more than £46,000 in benefits by failing to declare she was living with a teacher, a court heard.
Care assistant Shiralee Wotton, aged 30, pocketed four types of payment for two years, Plymouth Crown Court was told.
-
But the mum-of-four escaped an immediate jail term after a judge heard she was paying back the money.
Recorder Paul Derbyshire told her: "I want you to stay in work, provide for your children and pay this money back over 10 years, if that is what it takes."
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
He handed Wotton a 16-week prison sentence but suspended it for two years. She will remain under probation supervision for that period.
Wotton, of Ashford Crescent, Lipson, admitted two counts of dishonestly failing to notify the authorities of a change of circumstances affecting her benefit claims between March 2010 and March 2012.
She failed to say she was living with a working man as husband and wife.
Wotton also pleaded guilty to making a false representation to gain benefit in similar terms.
Sarah Vince, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Wotton started claiming benefits in 2008 on the basis she was a single mother with four children.
But she said Plymouth City Council became aware in February last year that she was living with a teacher, who was bringing in undeclared income to the household.
Miss Vince said the partner had given his employer her address as his own.
She added a surveillance operation was started but Wotton in the end came forward after a neighbour gave her a tip-off.
Miss Vince said Wotton admitted she was living with the teacher, but at first denied he had moved in as far back as 2010.
She said Wotton had failed to tell the authorities of her change of circumstances, despite contacting them when it suited her – including to inform of a change of bank details.
The court heard Wotton pocketed a total of £46,036, including tax credits, housing benefit, income support and council tax credit.
Jason Beal, for Wotton, said she had paid back about £2,000 since she was charged and would carry on making repayments. He added it would take her a decade to clear the sum.
17 Comments
View all
by catdaddy1214
Sunday, February 24 2013, 10:49PM
“£46k for 2 years! No wonder the "single mother" business is booming.”
by Allyouneed
Sunday, February 24 2013, 8:09PM
“I wondered where my money went please return it to your local fish and chip shop, I will be waiting.”
by Rudgard2013
Sunday, February 24 2013, 7:55PM
“Has nothing to do with anyone, no one knows the full story of anything the truth never comes out in papers! End of the day shes at home with her children where a mother should be and paying it back!”
by aliciastone12
Sunday, February 24 2013, 7:36PM
“It has nothing to do with anyone else what has gone on, at the end of the day the judge has made a decision suitable for the case, there is lot more to this which hasnt been made public. Its completly more beneficial for her to stay at home with her family and job and pay the money back which she has been doing so for the past year at an extausionate amount. As it says a decade to pay off £46,000 you work out how much that is monthly, When if she went to prison she would of lost her job and ended up back at square one on benefits again and the money wouldnt be re-paid. Yes she has done wrong but over the past few months shes been in a situation that no mother should have to be put through, the worry of actually leaving her kids behind as she genuinley believed she was going to prison ok. I suggest people just keep there opinions to themselfs unless they are aware of the full situation and facts not just what has been printed!”
by joehh
Saturday, February 23 2013, 5:38PM
“Would the people saying that she should go to jail at further expense to the tax payer,please explain how she would then be able to pay it back ?”
by sidewinder
Saturday, February 23 2013, 2:09PM
“Stop having flipp*ing kids !!”
by BettyD
Saturday, February 23 2013, 12:30PM
“So just like the glen holt postmaster who stole a similar amount all they get is a slap on the wrist because they're paying it back. If it were you or I it would be a different story. Theft / fraud is just that whether monies are being paid back or not and as such the courts should not be lenient either”
by Happyass01
Saturday, February 23 2013, 12:26PM
“So so true bex they all work in the happy 9 to 5 jobs an it there money that paid sherry for all that time haha well they never no what's around the corner they should never judge as never no it could be a member of there family doing sherry wasn't the first an an dam sure she won't be the last”
by Bexboo
Saturday, February 23 2013, 11:59AM
“Yet again the sad keyboard warriors are off, Yeah ok what Sherry did was wrong but she is paying it back working all the hours she possibly can to do this and support her family, Before you start judging people try walking a mile in their shoes and maybe you wont be so quick to judge!!”
by puffing_billy
Saturday, February 23 2013, 11:57AM
“"Tip of the iceberg" springs to mind. - Full of remorse once they are caught. How long would she have carried on for ??
Not the only one in Plymouth i would guess.”