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AIBU?

not to be overjoyed that a mother of four is being sent to jail for massive benefit fraud?

218 replies

bigmouthstrikesagain · 24/05/2013 18:39

story here

I just wonder what will happen to the children in this case. The crime Amanda Webber committed is serious and she should be punished but taking the mother away from her 8 children for up to 4 years will have a damaging effect on these children. The sentence should be in the community and involve her paying back society with work, making a contribution - not being housed in a prison.

This is not to undermine the seriousness of the offence I just can't see the 'benefit' to society of locking this person up - she is not dangerous - she does need to accept what she has done is so very wrong and make amends this can be done in a community sentence surely. The children should not be punished if it can be avoided.

Just my thoughts on hearing the news.

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QuintessentialOldDear · 24/05/2013 18:41

The benefit might be that people think twice before committing benefit fraud when they see that it is actually taken seriously?

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Roshbegosh · 24/05/2013 18:42

It is a pity for the children but she should have thought of that. I think she is where she should be, women can't get away with crime just because they have children.

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Trills · 24/05/2013 18:43

Of course it is not unreasonable to be not overjoyed.

It's never unreasonable to "not be overjoyed" at anything, ever.

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ll31 · 24/05/2013 18:44

Think amt she stole justifies sentence. Am sorry for children but don't think community service sentence is enough tbh

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bigmouthstrikesagain · 24/05/2013 18:45

Possibly - jail time for crime - does not prevent crime being committed - other wise prisons would not be overcrowded - or am I missing something.Confused

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Hulababy · 24/05/2013 18:45

Would you feel the same if it was a father of 4 committing benefit fraud?

Or a childless person who was committing benefit fraud?

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Hulababy · 24/05/2013 18:46

sorry father of 5 or however many

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sweetkitty · 24/05/2013 18:47

Huge amount of money, in surprised it wasn't picked up earlier that her children didn't have disabilities.

She was totally taking the p, a bit different from someone doing a bit if cash in hand work for Christmas or something.

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Ceraunia · 24/05/2013 18:50

She actually pretended they had disabilities. I feel sorry for the children only.

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AnyaKnowIt · 24/05/2013 18:51

I'm not shocked that she has been jailed.

It wasn't a case of struggling to make ends meet but with gaining £10,000 on some months is greed.

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orangepudding · 24/05/2013 18:51

She committed a crime and needs to be punished. Yes it's unfair on her children but she made a choice.

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bigmouthstrikesagain · 24/05/2013 18:53

Children are more affected (in general) by their mothers being sent to prison. I believe prison sentences are overused - imaginative community sentencing could be more appropriate and beneficial. In my opinion - I understand the anger this woman's crime has attracted - she is despicable. But will locking her up prevent benefit fraud or make society better? I am not convinced on that point.

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HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 24/05/2013 18:54

She should not be given a community sentence just because she has children.

Her being jailed might actually make people think twice before committing fraud.

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QuintessentialOldDear · 24/05/2013 18:54

Children are more affected (in general) by their mothers being sent to prison.

She should have thought about that then, should she not?

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Hulababy · 24/05/2013 18:55

You can't have one rule for one part of society and not the other.

So, mums can't go to prison but dads can. That just can't work.

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WMittens · 24/05/2013 18:55

The crime Amanda Webber committed is serious and she should be punished but taking the mother away from her 8 children for up to 4 years will have a damaging effect on these children.

Am I alone in thinking that it would do them more damage to leave her with them? This could well be the best thing for them.

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Hulababy · 24/05/2013 18:56

And the only person who she can blame for hurting her children by not being around for them is herself. She CHOSE to commit the offence, and not just a one off here remember. It was well thought out and executed. She deliberately lied and took what was not hers.

It is her own fault. She is the one who has made this happen.

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ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 24/05/2013 18:58

So are you saying that if someone commits a crime and happens to be a mother - they should be exempt from facing the consequences of their choice?

I don't think that can ever be right.

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bigmouthstrikesagain · 24/05/2013 18:58

I would want a community sentence for most financial crime/ fraud to be considered before a prison sentence. If possible non violent criminals should pay back society through working and making reparations - that goes for men and women.

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Ilovemyself · 24/05/2013 19:03

Perhaps if sentences were tougher and prisons not such an easy touch it may actually be a deterrent.

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Birdsgottafly · 24/05/2013 19:03

This isn't a matter of her earnings going up and her continuing to claim benefits.

She would have year after year had to make up disabilities for her healthy children and fill in complex forms, which is incredabely sick, tbh.

This will add fuel to those who think that it is easy to have DLA awarded for children and that we need a tightening upof the system, rather than it being a one off.

I bet that next time ATOS is debated, this will be mentioned.

She took it to extremes and let greed take over,because of the amount involved and it being DLA, Carers allowance, which requires greater deception than a simple overpayment of JSA etc, i think that a custodial sentance is appropriate.

She will not serve any where near that time, but it will stay on her record, as it is a sentence of over three years, which was probably the aim.

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tiggytape · 24/05/2013 19:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CAF275 · 24/05/2013 19:04

She should have thought of the consequences before comitting the crime. Zero sympathy from me. Kids are probably better off without her anyway tbh.

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Floggingmolly · 24/05/2013 19:04

You not being overjoyed doesn't make the decision a wrong one.

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lougle · 24/05/2013 19:05

This woman undermines the claims of people with genuine disability. Who knows if the next claim assessor who reads my DD's renewal form for DLA will have this case in the back of their minds when reading it and find themselves judging our form harshly?

Most people who claim DLA for their children are actually heartbroken to find that a complete stranger has decided that their child is disabled enough to receive it. I know I was. Delighted that I wouldn't have to appeal, but crushed that my 3 year old was that bad, that someone who didn't know her judged her to qualify.

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