Suspended sentence for woman who was overpaid £24K in benefits

47-year-old failed to declare she was working

A Colby woman has been spared prison after claiming more than £24,000 in benefits she wasn't entitled to.

Emma Hearnden, of Croit-E-Caley, failed to inform Treasury her circumstances had changed between 2019 and 2023 and made five false representations to obtain financial support.

During that time the 47-year-old failed to declare she was working and receiving rent money from her ex-husband.

It led to an overpayment of £24,236.34.

During sentencing, at Douglas Courthouse, Hearnden’s advocate said his client was 'a lady involved in a sea of troubles' insisting the fraud was not intentional.

Magistrates sentenced her to 20 weeks in custody which has been suspended for 18 months.