A benefits fraudster who pocketed over £16,500 in Universal Credit has been given 22 years to pay it back.
Sarah Hanlon, 41, has avoided prison after admitting to fraudulently obtaining more than £16,500 in Universal Credit by falsely claiming her three children resided with her.
The 41-year-old appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court, where she entered guilty pleas to dishonestly withholding information and fraud by false representation.
The court heard that her children had been removed from her care, yet she continued receiving payments intended for their support.
Rather than imposing a custodial sentence, magistrates handed Hanlon a 36-week prison term suspended for 18 months.
She represented herself during the hearing and must now repay the full amount to the Government.
The scheme saw Hanlon pocket an additional £825 each month in benefit payments she claimed were supporting her children.
Prosecutor Marta Pawloska told the court that evidence demonstrated a failure to report changed circumstances, specifically noting that “in August of 2022 when all of the children were removed from her care and not returned.”
She appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court where she entered guilty pleas
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PA
The fraudulent claims continued for nearly two years before authorities intervened.
Ms Pawloska explained that “on May 8, 2024, this defendant removed the children from her claim – but it was only done after an invitation for interview made by the benefits department.”
The prosecutor added that Universal Credit payments were split between Hanlon’s landlord and her personal account.
The court ordered Hanlon to repay the total sum of £16,558.61 through monthly deductions of £61 from her wages.
The scheme saw Hanlon pocket an additional £825 each month in benefit payments she claimed were supporting her children
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PAAt this rate, clearing the debt will take approximately 22 years, bringing her close to retirement age before the balance is settled.
Beyond the repayment obligation, magistrates imposed additional requirements on the mother-of-three.
She must complete 120 hours of unpaid work alongside 15 hours of rehabilitation activities.
The court also ordered her to pay £85 in costs.
