A 21 year-old Douglas woman has been given a prison sentence of six months, suspended for 21 months, for dishonestly obtaining social security benefits

Tara Lee Aslan Cowell, of Marathon Road appeared for sentence after admitting four charges of making false statements to obtain benefits and six of obtaining goods to the value of ?559 by deception.

The court heard Cowell forged rent notes to obtain the benefits, resulting in an over-payment of ?1,485.

Her advocate asked for a suspended sentence, coupled with a supervision order. He said Cowell was responding well to supervision, after having a suspended sentence of eight months imposed in January.

The High Bailiff told Cowell it was her last chance and ordered the six months to run consecutively to the eight month suspended sentence which was imposed in January.

He also ordered her to pay ?559 compensation for the goods she obtained, by passing cheques which weren't honoured.

(Picture: Douglas Courthouse).