A 50-year-old Suffolk woman has the threat of an eight month prison sentence hanging over her after pleading guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to having stolen over £27,000 in benefits.

A 50-year-old Suffolk woman has the threat of an eight month prison sentence hanging over her after pleading guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to having stolen over £27,000 in benefits.

Cheryl Taylor, of Simons Cross, Wickham Market, stole more than £14,000 from Suffolk Coastal and £13,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over four years from 2002.

“The Court clearly took Ms Taylor's offences very seriously after it heard that she had failed to declare over £20,000 worth of savings held in two Credit Suisse bank accounts,” said Chris Slemmings, housing spokesman for the council.

“She was spared a time behind bars largely because the Judge made allowances for her past history of ill-health and that she has already paid back £4,000 to this Council.

“However, she was given a clear warning that she would face immediate imprisonment if there are any breaches of her sentence during the next 18 months.”