A MOTHER-of-two who claimed almost £45,000 in benefit payments by lying about living alone has avoided a prison sentence.
Georgina Mary Mason cheated the Social Security Department out of the money over a period of three years, the Royal Court heard.
Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae said she could have been jailed for the offence, but the impact on her children and the fact that she was working had persuaded the Jurats to impose a 348-hour community service order instead.
Crown Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, told the court that Mason (39) had at first been claiming income support legitimately.
But when her former partner, who was in full-time employment, moved in with her, Mason did not inform Social Security of the change in her circumstances – and went on claiming the full amount she was entitled to if she had lived alone.
Crown Advocate Sette said it was not an oversight, as Mason was well aware of the importance of reporting any changes.
When she was asked, she claimed that her partner did not live with her. Mason said he had moved out in July 2019 and gave false addresses for him.
However, during a trial in November, Facebook and Instagram pictures revealed Mason, her partner and their daughter together as a family unit.
Crown Advocate Sette said benefit fraud had a greater impact on a small community than in a larger jurisdiction. He said: “It is often described as a fraud on us all. It is too serious to merit a community outcome.”
Mason has previous convictions for drug offences and a smaller-scale benefit fraud. The Crown Advocate recommended a prison sentence of two years and three months. Advocate James Bell, defending, asked the court to show “a degree of mercy” and requested a community sentence instead.
He said: “There was no evidence of a lavish or extravagant lifestyle.”
He also pointed out that Mason had two children who would be badly affected if their mother was sent to prison.
Mason is working and repaying the money, he said, adding: “If Miss Mason is able to remain in the community her job is safe.”
The Deputy Bailiff said that the “custodial threshold has been passed” but added: “You would lose your job, you would lose your accommodation and the only home your daughter has ever known.”
Mason was also put on probation for 18 months.
The Jurats sitting were Jane Ronge and David Le Heuzé.
