An Onchan woman has been sentenced to community service for a £13,108 benefit fraud.

Claire Scott had previously pleaded not guilty to seven counts of making a false representation to obtain a benefit but guilty to three.

However, the court heard that the other seven counts had now been withdrawn by the prosecution.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes ordered the 45-year-old to do 120 hours’ unpaid work in the next 12 months.

The court heard that Scott, who lives in Nursery Avenue, was initially claiming Employed Person’s Allowance from January 2016.

However, in 2021, information was received that her partner was living with her, which she had not declared.

The Department of Health and Social Care checked tax records and put Scott’s property under surveillance for four weeks.

Her former partner was found to be living at the address.

When interviewed by the department, Scott said that the man stayed on the settee sometimes.

Her benefits claim was not fraudulent from the outset but had become fraudulent when she failed to declare him moving in.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said that Scott had already come to an agreement with the department to pay back the £13,108 overpayment, having it deducted from her current Employed Person’s Allowance.

Mr Taylor asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty pleas and the fact that she had no previous convictions.

The advocate said that the couple had separated some years earlier but Scott’s former partner had then moved in during lockdown in March 2020 as he was homeless, and had slept on the couch.

’The relationship returned to husband and wife after a period of time,’ said Mr Taylor. ’Ms Scott knows she should have informed the department.’

The advocate said that his client had not been receiving any money from the man and he was actually a drain on her.

He said: ’She received very little income from him, only in the form of some shopping. She has been the main breadwinner for some considerable time.’

Scott’s former partner was now said to have left the property.

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes told Scott: ’I have taken into account that you have set up a payment plan, but this was over the period of a year, and £13,000 of taxpayer money was defrauded by you, for your own ends.

’Community service will allow you to make reparations to the community as it is an offence against the taxpayers of the Isle of Man.’

Scott was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.