A mother who lied to a court that she was pregnant to avoid a prison sentence has been jailed for five months. Lisa Philips, 37, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, had originally received a suspended sentence for stealing £14,700 from her aunt.
Teesside Crown Court heard that Philips lied on arrest and to probation officers. Judge Peter Armstrong said it would be 'wholly unjust' if she avoided jail again, noting that she had only missed prison the first time due to 'bogus mitigation'.
After her due date, Philips showed probation staff pictures of a child she claimed was her baby, but later said she had lost it. Prosecutor Paul Cleasby stated that once the lie was told, 'she simply could not retract'.
When Philips avoided jail last year, she was photographed by the press holding her 'bump' as she left court. Ben Pegman, defending, said she was 'genuinely sorry, embarrassed and ashamed for her actions'.
Philips, a mother-of-one from Eskdale Place, admitted perverting the course of justice.
