A 68-year-old advantages cheat has been spared jail time after failing to inform authorities about inheriting £90,000 and receiving a further £35,000.
Sarah Pipe, of Ann Road, Ipswich, admitted failing to inform the authorities of a change in her circumstances between April 2019 and June 2023.
The fraud resulted in a complete profit overpayment of £56,000.
Pipe claimed housing profit from Ipswich Borough Council and Employment Help Allowance from the Division of Work and Pensions for 4 years.
She continued these claims with out disclosing the substantial sums she had acquired.
Sentencing Pipe at Ipswich Crown Courtroom on Tuesday, Decide David Pugh mentioned he was "tempted to ship her straight to jail".
The decide informed her: "You acquired £90,000 inheritance and also you determined that you’d use it in your personal profit and proceed to obtain advantages."
He added: "Six weeks later you acquired an extra £34,877 and also you informed a probation officer that you just don't know what that sum pertains to. I don't consider you."
Decide Pugh mentioned: "It seems to me for causes I don't perceive you determined to deceive the probation officer and this court docket."
Pipe was given an eight-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months.
She should additionally full a 10-day rehabilitation exercise requirement.
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The court docket imposed a six-month electronically-monitored curfew between 7pm and 7am.
Simon Gladwell, representing Pipe, mentioned his shopper was "remorseful, ashamed and embarrassed".
The court docket heard that of the £125,000 she had acquired and the profit overpayment of £56,000, solely £5,000 stays.
Gladwell famous that her profit claims weren't fraudulent from the outset.
He added that she had given a few of the cash away.
Pipe has no earlier convictions.
A listening to underneath the Proceeds of Crime Act will happen on June 23.
Monetary investigators can even be making use of for a restraint order relating to Pipe's funds.
This order goals to make sure she doesn't eliminate her remaining £5,000 financial savings.
The court docket will decide what belongings might be recovered to repay the fraudulently claimed advantages.
The court docket heard that of the £125,000 she had acquired and the profit overpayment of £56,000, solely £5,000 stays.
Gladwell famous that her profit claims weren't fraudulent from the outset.
He added that she had given a few of the cash away.
Pipe has no earlier convictions.
A listening to underneath the Proceeds of Crime Act will happen on June 23.
Monetary investigators can even be making use of for a restraint order relating to Pipe's funds.
This order goals to make sure she doesn't eliminate her remaining £5,000 financial savings.
The court docket will decide what belongings might be recovered to repay the fraudulently claimed advantages.
The listening to comes after Pipe admitted to claiming advantages for 4 years whereas concealing vital monetary windfalls.
Regardless of her defence that the claims weren't initially fraudulent, the decide was clear that her actions had been deliberate.