A mother of three from Douglas has been sentenced to 200 hours’ community service for a £16,256 benefit fraud.

Natalie Marie Robinson, of Greenfield Road, did not tell the authorities that her husband was working at the Isle of Man Post Office.

At the current rate of repayment it will take the 29-year-old 15 years to repay the money.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told a court last week that Robinson was claiming income support benefit from March 2018 due to being ill. On September 20 that year she submitted a change of circumstances to the department saying that she had married.

In May this year an allegation was received that her husband had been employed by the Post Office since September 24, 2018, which she had not declared.

A statement from the Post Office confirmed that Robinson’s husband was working.

When interviewed at social security offices, she admitted not declaring her husband’s work saying it had not crossed her mind.

She said: ’I’ve not been in a good place, I’m sorry.’

The non-declaration had resulted in an overpayment in benefits of £16,256.

The court heard that Robinson has so far paid back £320 leaving £15,936 outstanding.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander asked the court to follow the recommendation of a probation report which had suggested community service as an appropriate sentence.

Ms Alexander said that Robinson had been very poorly but did not want to go into details of a report in open court.

The advocate said that Robinson’s husband had initially stopped work to care for his wife but had then done part-time work with the post office, sometimes doing overtime.

’It was not fraudulent from the outset,’ said Ms Alexander.

’Had she declared the income it may well have been that she was entitled to some form of benefits. It was not used to fund a lavish lifestyle. It was used to pay for outgoings for the family. She is ashamed and embarrassed.’

A probation report assessed Robinson as a low risk of reoffending and harm to others.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith told Robinson: ’Offences of this type reduce the budget for those who should legitimately receive benefits.’

Mr Arrowsmith said that he had taken into account Robinson’s early guilty plea, the fact she had begun repayment, her remorse, and the impact any custodial sentence would have on her young family.