A Carlisle mother whose £57,000 benefits fiddle was exposed after evidence was unearthed on Facebook has been spared an immediate jail term.
Nichola Darboe, 46, initially lodged a legitimate claim for housing benefit and tax credits on the grounds that she was a lone parent, with two children, in receipt of low income.
Money was paid on the basis she would notify HMRC and the local authority of any change in circumstances which would affect her entitlement, Carlisle Crown Court heard.
But Darboe failed to declare that from March 2017, she was living a partner. On several occasions there was contact between her and the benefits agencies, but no change was declared as it should have been.
Evidence was taken from Facebook that she and her partner were living together with a bank loan and account having also been taken out by the man at her address.
Bank statements also showed a standing order for £400 per month being paid by him into Darboe’s bank account.
Just under £50,000 had been dishonestly obtained by Darboe in tax credits and almost £8,000 in housing benefit from Carlisle City Council.
The total amount of overpayment between March 2017 and late May 2022 was £57,757.18.
Darboe, of Broomgarth, Blackwell, Carlisle, admitted two offences of fraud with an average of £200 a week having been illegally obtained.
The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions, was the main carer for two children and did not have a lavish lifestyle.
She was also employed as a carer and had begun making repayments of the debt owed, said her solicitor Sean Harkin, who added: “She is very sorry.“
Judge Nicholas Barker suspended an eight-month prison term for two years, accepting Darboe’s remorse. She must complete 180 hours’ unpaid work.
A further court hearing will take place later this month as the prosecution decide whether to claw back the cash under Proceeds of Crime Act legislation.
