Former care worker Louise Stuart, 60, admitted illegally claiming £85,000 in benefits over eight years, blaming her dishonesty on not having enough money to pay for her basic needs. She perpetrated the fraud while her partner Russel Harrison was also fiddling benefits, in his case dishonestly claiming £36,000 over six-and-a-half years. He was given an immediate 18-month jail term for "brazen" dishonestly. At Carlisle Crown Court, Stuart, of Edinburgh Road, Maryport, admitted two counts of failing to disclose circumstances affecting her entitlement to benefits. “It’s dishonesty, and you knew it was,” said the judge, imposing an 11-month jail term which he said could be suspended.

Source: The Times January 31, 2026 11:45 UTC