Benefit cheat overpaid £53k 'buried her head in the sand'

50-year-old in ill health avoids jail term

- Sentinel Reporter

BENEFIT cheat Marie Buchanan has avoided jail after claiming more than £53,500 she was not entitled to.

The 50-year-old's claims for employment support allowance (ESA) and housing benefit were initially legitimate as she and her partner were not fit for work and had no other income.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Buchanan continued to make the claims despite her partner working on a self-employed basis between April 2019 and April 2023.

In total she was paid £53,531.98 in benefits which she was not entitled to.

Now Buchanan has been sentenced to 21 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days.