A benefits cheat who didn’t declare her husband was earning through his own business has been sentenced to community service.

Samantha Jane Etchells claimed £18,351 to which she was not entitled after she didn’t declare her husband had earned £44,782.

Magistrates ordered the 44-year-old, who lives at St Mark’s Road, Braaid, to do 120 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that Etchells was claiming income support in May 2020 on the basis of being signed off sick.

However, in October 2021 information was received that her husband was earning money via his own business, J E Joinery, working in Castletown.

Department of Health and Social Care staff gained access to the couple’s bank accounts and put their home and Mr Etchell’s place of work under surveillance.

He was seen leaving their home in a van marked ‘J E Joinery’ and driving to a property which was being renovated.

Facebook posts also showed J E Joinery as a business.

Investigations revealed that there were five bank accounts held when Mrs Etchells had declared only one.

Payments had been made into the accounts by various companies and a total amount of £44,782 in income had not been declared.

Etchells was invited to an interview with DHSC staff but sent an email saying she could not attend.

She was then asked for a time scale of when she could attend but did not reply.

The department chased her for an update but again got no response from her.

A letter was sent requiring her to attend another interview but she then replied saying she was in the UK and didn’t know when she would be returning.

Another email was sent to her giving her three weeks to respond but Etchells again didn’t reply.

She was subsequently charged with five counts of benefit fraud to which she pleaded guilty on March 3.

Ms Carroon said that, as a result of the fraud, Etchells had been overpaid £18,351.17 in benefits.

The court heard that she has begun paying back the money at a rate of £20 per week. At that rate, she should finish paying in the year 2039.

Defence advocate Joseph Burrows said that, at the time of the offences, Etchells had been diagnosed with a serious condition and was under a great deal of stress and anxiety.

‘She thought she was receiving some kind of sickness benefit and not income support,’ said the advocate.

‘There was no intention to defraud the Isle of Man Government in any way.’

Mr Burrows handed in letters of reference for his client.

Magistrates also ordered Etchells to pay £50 prosecution costs and gave her one month to pay.