by Rachel Hovenden

rhovenden@thekmgroup.co.uk

A woman who stole more than £40,000 in benefits in a ‘breathtaking’ case has been sentenced.

Julie Woodger purposefully did not tell Gravesham and Bexley councils nor the Department for Work and Pensions that her partner of two years was living with her so that she could claim benefits as a single parent.

Woodger, 43, received £44,367 in housing, council tax, and income support benefits.

Mr Recorder Hamer QC sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court, said: "You were dishonestly stealing money from Her Majesty’s Government.

"In interviews with probation you advised them you had made a conscious decision to make a fraudulent claim.

"While giving you credit for these admissions, I find this breathtaking."

He added: "The fact you gave no regard to the consequences of your actions doesn’t justify your conduct, which was reprehensible and thoroughly dishonest."

Mr Hamer told Woodger, formerly of St Alban’s Close, Gravesend and now of Blackfen Road, Eltham, that her actions justified a jail sentence.

But he told the court he acted in mercy and instead sentenced her to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months with a 12 month supervision order.

He also ordered Woodger to attend between six and 12 education and training sessions, to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and to repay the amount she fraudulently claimed.