A MOTHER of four who confessed to defrauding taxpayers of more than £22,000 has begged not to be sent to prison.

Kerry Ann Bryant, of Clarke Drive, High Wycombe, said she did it for her children in a bid to save them from being bullied at school for wearing second-hand clothes.

The defendant appeared sobbing before Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, June 8, and pleaded guilty to four counts of dishonestly making false statements to obtain £22,788 worth of benefits, between 2002 and 2004.

Magistrates sent the case to Aylesbury Crown Court for sentencing because they felt 12 months in prison was insufficient for her crimes.

Speaking to the Free Press after the case, Bryant said: "I'm not worried for myself, but if I go to prison who will look after my children?

"I have a 17-month-old baby who needs her mum, a six-year-old, an eight-year-old and a 12-year-old.

"My partner would have to give up his job to look after them, and he'd be on state benefits too.

"I am trying to pay back the money I owe, but I am entitled to some of it anyway through family tax credit allowance.

"Because I claimed it from the wrong source I am being punished, and at the end of the day it all comes out of the same pot."

Bryant's solicitor Tiff Whillis told magistrates she deserved recognition for owning up to her crimes.

He added that without her full co-operation Wycombe District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions would only be prosecuting her for £12,000. However, Bryant admitted claiming around a further £10,000 during an interview.

Mr Whillis pleaded with magistrates to consider alternative punishments such as community service or fines.

He argued that as a single mum, 31-year-old Bryant had legitimately been claiming income support, housing benefit and council tax relief since 1996.

However, her claims became illegal when she decided to live with her partner David Byford from September 2002.

Mr Whillis said: "My client committed fraud for financial reasons and was not assisted in any way. She has no previous convictions or cautions.

"At no time did she say right, let's go out and make a fraudulent claim'."

Mr Whills argued that Bryant's relationship with Mr Byford had developed gradually, with more frequent overnight stays until they were living together full time.

The prosecution argued that Bryant should have let the authorities know the change in her circumstances.

A date for sentencing has yet to be fixed.