Benefits cheat spared jail

A benefits fraudster who wrongly claimed more than £50,000 has been spared jail.

Sara Louise Adamson of Close Thunnag in Ramsey appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas Courthouse.

At an earlier hearing, the 34-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to inform benefits staff of a change in circumstances and seven of making false representations to obtain benefits between March 2016 and June 2021.

Adamson did not tell benefits staff her boyfriend had moved in with her, and also failed to declare work she had done for the coroner of Ayre and Garff.

Prosecutor Rebecca Cubbon told the court Adamson was overpaid a total of £50,395.

Mrs Hughes said the custody threshold had been passed and jailed her for 26 weeks - but suspended the sentence for two years.

Adamson was also ordered to pay £50 costs.