A woman who fraudulently claimed £70,000 worth of benefits has been spared jail.

At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff George Way told Sarah Alison he would not impose a custodial sentence as the effect on her children would be “disproportionate” to the offence.

Alison, 34, of St Fillans Road, previously admitted two charges of benefit fraud.

She committed the fraud over a four year period between 2009 and 2013, at a property at Linksfield, Tayport, by failing to declare to benefit bosses that she was living with Graham Thomson.

Alison admitted fraudulently claiming £60,000 worth of income support between April 7 2009 and March 29 2013. And she admitted fraudulently claiming £10,000 worth of housing and council tax benefit between September 18 2009 and March 31 2013.

Solicitor Ann Duffy, defending, said Alison has three children.

Mrs Duffy previously warned Alison a custodial sentence was “almost inevitable” and measures were put in place with regards to her children.

However Sheriff Way said: “In reality the length of time she would spend in custody does not impose adequate punishment.

“And the impact on her children would in itself be disproportionate to the offence.”

Alison was ordered to complete 230 hours of unpaid work, placed under three years supervision and given a seven month restriction of liberty order.