The family of a great-gran jailed for a £23k benefit fraud have slammed the sentence as ‘harsh and unnecessary’.
Linda Longden was jailed for eight weeks by magistrates in Macclesfield on Wednesday for dishonestly failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of a change of circumstances.
The 58-year-old, of Parkgate Road, Macclesfield, admitted the charge but argued she had repaid the sum days after discovering the error.
The cancer survivor started claiming Disability Living Allowance in 2006 after three major operations left her severely disabled and unable to work, the court heard.
She got better and in 2009 got a job as manager at Broken Cross Social Club, magistrates were told.
But Longden failed to tell the DWP who found she had been overpaid £23,842.40.
Speaking after the sentence Longden’s daughter Belinda Daultri, 40, said: “Mum did everything within her power to put things right when she discovered her mistake.
“The shame of standing in the dock was enough for her, but magistrates wanted to make an example of her.
“This is a woman who has never even had a parking ticket.
“It’s harsh and completely unnecessary.”
Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, told the court the fraud totalled 238 weeks.
She said: “She began the claim on the grounds of illness and disability.
“She claimed she had difficulty walking and needed help around the house.
“She failed to disclose that her condition had improved.
“An investigation involving surveillance found her capability was not the same as she declared.”
Claire Aldridge, defending, said Longden was ‘deeply ashamed and embarrassed’.
She said: “This is a lady who has worked all her life.
“In 2006 she had an operation but later fell into a coma for two weeks.
“She was in hospital for three months and was badly disabled.
“She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a very aggressive form of cancer, and was off work for three years.
“This was a genuine claim from a lady who had been very sick.
“The overpayment was settled through loans from family and friends within days.”
A report from the probation service argued Longden was suitable for a community order with unpaid work, but magistrates chose to jail Longden for eight weeks.
Sentencing, David Kirby-Welch, chair of the bench, said: “This is a very serious example of benefit fraud.
“It amounts to a considerable sum of money appropriated over a three year period at considerable cost to the taxpayer.”
Speaking after the case, Mrs Daultri added: “The magistrates talk about taxpayers’ money, but how much has been spent on bringing it to court and putting her away in prison.
“My mum, who spends her free time knitting for her great grandchildren, is now rubbing shoulders with drug dealers and arsonists.”
