A special needs teacher at a Cotswolds college cheated the State out of more than £13,000 in benefits by claiming she had to pay rent for a house that she actually owned - and by lying about being on a full time education course, a court heard on Wednesday (April 17).

Lara Peters, 61, of Jacks Green, Sheepscombe, near Stroud, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court to a one year community order with a requirement to do 70 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Peters, who works at Ruskin Mill College in Horsley, near Stroud, pleaded guilty to making a false claim on August 27, 2020, that she had rental costs of £700 per month, thereby intending to make a gain for herself,.

She also admitted that between August 21, 2020, and August 20, 2021, she dishonestly failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions promptly of change in her circumstances which she knew would affect her entitlement to Universal Credit - namely that she was undertaking full-time study.

Prosecutor Alexandra Wilson said the total amount obtained dishonestly by Peters was £13,863.06.

"On 21st August 2020 she made an online claim for Universal Credit," said the prosecutor. "She said she was looking for full time work and she had no income or savings.

"She was told she was required to report any changes in her circumstances. A week later on August 27, 2020, she declared that she had housing costs of £700 a month payable to her landlord. As a result, she was awarded additional housing benefits from the August 25, 2020.

"However, HMRC discovered evidence from the Land Register in August 2022 that confirmed she was the sole owner of the property she resided in.

"She had also told the Universal Credit authorities that she was starting a full time educational course in January 2021. She was told this would result in her claim for Universal Credit being closed. She then messaged twice saying her course had been delayed because of Covid until April and she then said she had postponed her MA course - but in fact she had started the full time course.

"She had started a part time course but then transferred to a full time course on November 12, 2020. She has therefore failed to inform Universal Credit of this change and she has received credits to which she was not entitled.

"She was interviewed in June under caution. She accepted that she had undertaken a full time course but denied acting dishonesly. She also said that she had to pay rent to her ex-husband."

The prosecutor said Peters had therefore been paid £3,811-95 in Universal Credit and £10,051-11 in housing costs to which she was not entitled.

Peters had no previous criminal convictions, added the prosecutor.

Tum Burrows, defending, said Peters has already paid back some of the money and is continuing to do so at £100 a month.

"She is now in a position to raise the funds to clear the overpayment completely," he said.

"A friend has offered her a loan to do so and he is aware of all the circumstances."

Judge Ian Lawrie KC commented: "She is an SEN teacher at Ruskin Mill College? I happen to know the person who runs it and who is a friend of mine and my late wife's. I declare that connection. It is only right and proper that I say I have that linkage and connection."

Mr Burrows said: "She has made her employers aware of these proceedings. They have said a lot will depend on what happens today as to whether she keeps her employment."

The judge said: "I know what they do there and I know they are a very humane outfit!"

Judge Lawrie then told Mr Burrows that he was not considering a prison term for the offences and he felt a community order for one year with 70 hours of unpaid work would suffice.

Sentencing Peters, the judge said: "I have read the (pre-sentence) report and I understand the background of how this arose. I appreciate that the offence before the court is one of dishonesty.

"But I cannot ignore the fact either that you are nearly 62, you are a person with educational skills and you work for a very respectable establishment which I happen to know.

"I am treating these offences as an aberration dictated by unfortunate circumstances. I am reassured that you are going to be able to repay this money.

"The quicker you pay the money the better it is.

"I appreciate this has probably been a bit terrifying for you - leave this court and put it out of your head. Pay the money and put it behind you."

He said that a Proceeds of Crime confiscation hearing would be held on August 23.