Dagenham mum jailed over �100k fiddle freed to be with baby

A DAGENHAM mum jailed for a �100,000 benefits fraud was freed from prison after top judges branded it “unacceptable” that she be kept away from her newborn baby for any longer.

A DAGENHAM mum jailed for a �100,000 benefits fraud was freed from prison after top judges branded it “unacceptable” that she be kept away from her newborn baby for any longer.

Natalie Carter, 31, of Page Close, was jailed for nine months earlier this month after admitting a string of fraud offences at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

But she was free again yesterday (Wednesday) after Court of Appeal judges, Lord Justice Hooper, Mr Justice Eady and Mrs Justice Cox, suspended her sentence.

Mrs Justice Cox said it was “unacceptable” that it could take two weeks before Carter and her baby daughter could be reunited in a mother and baby prison unit.

The mum was caught out after benefits authorities realised that she had been married and living with her children’s father for many years, despite claiming benefits as a lone parent. Carter’s nine-month term will be suspended for two years.