Mum-of-four stole close to £18,000 (From Warrington Guardian)

Mum-of-four stole close to £18,000

A MUM-of-four has been ordered to carry out unpaid work after admitting to cheating taxpayers out of nearly £18,000.

Kathleen White failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions that she was living with her partner, Warrington Crown Court heard on Friday.

Eric Lamb, prosecuting, said that White, aged 26, was claiming Income Support, housing benefit and council tax, on the grounds that she was a lone parent with no income other than child benefit.

Leah Dillon, defending, told the court that White had experienced a series of difficulties, coupled with an unstable relationship. However, the relationship is now stable and the couple look after the children, aged 12, seven, four and three, together, with her working part time and him working full time.

She added: "This whole experience has been devastating for her and caused her difficulty with depression.

"She expresses genuine remorse and regret."

Judge David Hale, sentencing White to a 140-hour community punishment order, said: "You have stolen from everyone in the community and you knew you were doing it.

"Because you have got four children I see no public benefit in locking you up because you have to look after them, and provided that you do the community punishment order, you can continue to devote a lot of time to your children. "

White, of Reaper Close in Great Sankey, pleaded guilty to five counts of making a false statement, which led to £17,958 being wrongly claimed between December 2001 and April 2003.