Loan provider's fraud prison term cut

Lynne Benson (49), of Church Lane, Rotherham, was jailed for 12 months at Sheffield Crown Court in December last year after she admitted fraud.

But senior judges sitting at London’s Court of Appeal on Friday cut that term to nine months—meaning Benson is due for release next month.

Mr Justice Cranston, sitting with Mr Justice Beatson, told the court Benson worked for Provident Personal Credit Limited, organising loans for people with poor credit histories.

But after a mistake at work meant £1,000 went missing, she took out extra money in the names of 24 of her customers to cover her tracks, the judge said.

Benson admitted that she had used fraud to hide the error, but all the money was eventually paid back so that nobody was out of pocket.

Her lawyers said considering no one had lost out, and that Benson had an “impeccable character” before the offence, her prison term was over the top.

Mr Justice Cranston refused to release Benson immediately, but cut her prison term by a quarter, to nine months, of which will she will serve half.

He told the court: “There is no evidence that any loans fell into default...and, importantly, this appellant had strong personal mitigation.”