Benefit cheat walks free from court after 'stealing' £54,390

Julie Stenner claimed income support, housing and council tax benefits while failing to reveal she had a partner living with her.

Newcastle Crown Court heard as a result, the 44-year-old was paid £54,390 which she was not entitled to.

Stenner, of Calder Green, Jarrow, admitted benefit fraud at an earlier hearing.

The court heard she has never been in trouble before.

Mr Recorder Richard Wright QC sentenced her to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with supervision.

The judge told her: "It is always disappointing to see a lady of your age and good character in the dock in the crown court.

"The reason you are here is you stole over £50,000, and it is stealing, it is not just from benefits, it is stealing from everyone else who works hard to pay their taxes to fund the benefit system."

The judge said pre-sentence reports prepared in the case convinced him to suspend the jail term.