Fraud mum dodges jail

A DISHONEST mum narrowly avoided jail after defrauding the benefits system of thousands of pounds.

Karen Brown, 39, failed to tell officials at the Department of Work and Pensions that her circumstances had changed after she got married.

For months she claimed benefit to support her four kids, even though her husband was working and paying the bills.

Yesterday Brown, of Badgerwood, Dechmont, West Lothian, was ordered to carry out 228 hours of community service.