WELFARE FRAUD: AN INTERESTING EMAIL FROM A BRITISH READER:

(A cheat got a fine that was less than what she would have paid in interest by borrowing the money from a bank. The court makes it cheaper to steal than to borrow)

I've just read your blog with great interest, as since spending a day at a local Magistrates Court I was surprised at the almost arbitrary way in which sentences seem to be handed out.

This case in particular really illustrated to me that for some people crime really does pay:-

CULLOMPTON MAGISTRATES COURT
Case 3506922
27th June 2005
Christine Patricia Fifield AKA Christine Carter "Siddowes" 7 Courtlands Lane Exmouth
Was convicted of two counts of "Benefit Fraud" obtaining a total of £8244.01 by deception. There were no mitigating circumstances she admitted that she just wanted the money. She was fined £700 with £75 costs.

This seemed to be almost collusion with her by the Magistrates, because she had this money for a period of 4 years, and she would have paid far more than this derisory fine, had she borrowed a smaller sum of £7,500 from a bank

Yet looking in the Western Morning News I have seen other cases where people have been imprisoned for lesser amounts



(And don't forget your ration of Wicked Thoughts for today)