Woman fiddled £41,000 benefits
A mother from Coseley who fiddled more than £41,000 in benefits has avoided a prison sentence.
Michelle Smith claimed income support after telling the Department of Work and Pensions she had separated from her husband David.
But Mr Neil Chawla, prosecuting at Wolverhampton Crown Court, said it came to light that he had returned to the family home and, over a four-year period, his wife continued to claim benefits.
The total overpayment made to her between 2003 and 2007 was £41,372, he told the court.
Smith, of Langley Avenue, Coseley, admitted two charges of failing to notify the department of a change in her circumstances.
She was yesterday given a 52-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and also placed under supervision for two years.
Judge Michael Dudley further ruled she must obey a six-month curfew order between 8pm and 7am and also carry out 200 hours of community service.
He told Smith it was "a very serious case" but that there were "unusual features" that allowed him to take a lenient course.
He told the mother-of-three it was not necessary to impose an immediate sentence of imprisonment and said he was prepared to take an "exceptional" course.
