A 47-year-old has dodged jail after being overpaid £24,236 by receiving income support over the course of four years.
Emma Hearnden admitted six counts of benefit fraud, which involved her failing to declare money she was receiving via her ex-husband.
A court heard how a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) investigations with the housing department found that her husband had been paying her rent via direct debit.
Statements from the bank were obtained and confirmed this.
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After being interviewed by the DHSC, Hearnden confirmed signing declarations that her circumstances had not changed, but said that she would not have read them.
Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that Hearnden, who lives at Croit-E-Caley in Colby, Isle of Man was receiving income support benefits between January 2019 and October 2023.
In June 2023, information was received that her ex-husband was paying her rent. Hearnden was interviewed by the DHSC and confirmed signing declarations that her circumstances had not changed, but said that she would not have read them.
When asked if there had been any changes in her circumstances, she replied: “Not that I know of.”
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Croit-E-Caley in Colby, Isle of Man (file pic)
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Her husband confirmed he had paid the rent and said he had wanted to ensure she had a roof over her head, and that she occasionally paid him back cash of £20 or £30, reports Isle of Man Today.
Defence advocate Laurence Vaughan-Williams referred to a psychiatric report and probation report, and said: “Ms Hearnden sees the world through a different prism than perhaps other people.
“These were sins of omission rather than commission. They revolve around payment of rent by her former husband.”
“She believed this was in the form of a loan, which was to be repaid, and found it difficult to accept this could be classed as income. Granted, repayments so far have been only small.”
Vaughan-Williams added that his client was a vulnerable person who was receiving mental health assistance and had no previous convictions.
He said: “It is in a sense, a testament to her good character, that despite her mental health problems, she has endured the stress and strain of proceedings and is here today to face up to them”
Magistrates sentenced her to 20 weeks’ custody, suspended for 18 months.