Benefit cheats face 10-year terms

Under new guidelines set out by the director of public prosecutions, benefit cheats are to face increased prison sentences of up to 10 years.

Suspects can now be charged under the Fraud Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Kier Starmer QC said: "It is a myth that 'getting one over on the system' is a victimless crime: the truth is we all pay the price. But it's not only the taxpayers that suffer".

Simon Cleminson reports.