A benefits cheat spared jail after swindling almost £50,000 tried her best to keep a low profile leaving court by hobbling out wearing a big blue Aldi carrier bag over her head.

Sharon Kent, 50, made the not-too-hasty getaway from Bristol Crown Court after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming employment support handouts.

The former company director donned her friend’s camouflage jacket and waited for another to pull up outside before strolling out past photographers in the unusual disguise.

Bristol Crown Court heard she pocketed £48,000 in over-payments despite receiving share dividends from a company she ran with her ex-husband.

When her benefit application was adjusted to allow for a second home in 2016 she was required to produce six months’ worth of bank statements

Prosecutor Adrian Chaplin said the ones she showed the DWP ‘had been adjusted so that they reflected what was left’, which he added involved ‘significant planning’.

Emily Evans, defending, said her client ended a difficult relationship of some 20 years and had struggled to make ends meet after the marriage split.

She also suffered a series of bereavements in 2015, which included her father and uncle, as well as health problems.

Ms Evans said: ‘She was struggling to cope and perhaps not in the right frame of mind.

‘This is a lady who has made a significant mistake in a very difficult period of her life which she is entirely remorseful about.’

The court heard she has since paid back £14,700. An order was made to claw back the outstanding amount.

Judge Peter Blair QC handed her an 11-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He told Kent: ‘This was no mistake. This was a long period of taking advantage of the benefit system.’

Kent was ordered to complete 20 days’ rehabilitation and pay £400 costs.

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