'Shame on you’ judge tells £35k benefit fraudster

Woman faces prison if she fails to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work

A JUDGE slammed a benefit fraudster who conned nearly £35,000 from the taxpayer, saying ‘you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself ’, whilst adding: ‘You took money from people who need it.’

Judge Richard Shepherd warned Sharon Underwood, 55, he would send her straight to prison if she did not comply with an order to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work after being spared jail.

Underwood was given a nine-month suspended sentence for 18 months after scamming the benefit system out of £34,873.35 between 2012-18 in income support benefit.

The fraudster was profiting around £6,000 a year from the false declaration over the seven years she was pocketing the cash.

But it was claimed at Portsmouth Crown Court she had now paid back the money after coming into inheritance from her mother who had died.

Seeking clarification over whether the money had definitely been paid back, judge

Shepherd told the court he wanted Underwood to take the witness box to establish the truth.

He warned the defendant: ‘If you are telling lies you will be done for perjury.’

Mark Kessler, for the defence, asked for the Crown to confirm the position rather than Underwood take the stand - but the judge dismissed the suggestion and insisted on the defendant giving evidence on oath.

Once on the stand Underwood, who admitted two counts of dishonestly obtaining benefits, confirmed she had paid the money back.

The court heard a cheque had been issued on August 18.

Judge Shepherd also ordered Underwood, of Highfield Road, Bognor Regis, to pay £500 costs.

He told her: ‘You stole from the community and now it is your job to pay back the community by carrying out unpaid work.

‘If I receive negative reports and hear you are in breach I will send you to prison.’

As Underwood was preparing to leave the dock, judge Shepherd added: ‘You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself.’