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A civil servant who stole more than £7,000 from the Department of Work and Pensions has been handed a suspended sentence.

Kristy Merner, 44, diverted 20 payments into her personal bank account while working at the department.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Merner was of previous good character and she claimed a gambling addiction led her to take the money.

Merner, of Crosby, was sentenced to a 12-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to fraud.

Merner had diverted 20 payments of employment support allowance into her own bank account totalling £7,621.34, prosecutors said.

A criminal investigation by the department's own fraud and error service discovered the anomalies and Merner was interviewed by police in Wirral in December 2022.

She explained in a prepared statement that her gambling addiction had "spiralled out of control" and she was "truly sorry" for what she had done.

George Ward, senior crown prosecutor, said Merner had taken money from vulnerable claimants with physical and mental health problems.

He said: “Ms Merner abused her position of trust to take this money.

"She has reimbursed all of the money that she stole, and it is clear she regrets what she did.”

Merner must also carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 days of rehabilitation activity and engage with a six-month programme to address her issues.