Benefit fraudster who falsely claimed over £13,000 spared jail

A benefit fraudster escaped jail after falsely claiming more than £13,000.

Cheryl Shields, 36, of Kirkton Avenue, had previously admitted failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of changes in her circumstances when her partner began living with her.

The mother of six claimed income support housing benefit and council tax benefit amounting to £13,440 over almost three years.

At Dundee Sheriff Court, defence solicitor Jim Laverty urged the sheriff not to send Shields to prison.

Sheriff Lorna Drummond told Shields: “These are significant amounts of money involved and because of that the courts have made it clear where there is that level of fraud custody is justified, and ordinarily would have been inevitable.”

However the sheriff said she was convinced not to send Shields to prison as she had six children to care for and instead imposed a community payback order.

Shields was given a 12-month supervision order with 250 hours of unpaid work. She will also be fitted with an electronic tag and be subject to a 7pm to 7am curfew for six months.