$20k benefit fraudster remanded

Kiley Atareta Laris earlier pleaded guilty to five fraud-related charges.

Sentencing has been adjourned for a Masterton mother who ripped off Work and Income to the tune of close to $20,000 - to give her a chance to be considered for a community-based sentence.

Previously pleading guilty to one charge of obtaining a benefit by misleading and four of wilful omission, Kiley Atareta Laris appeared before Judge Barbara Morris in Masterton District Court on Tuesday for sentencing when the judge raised concerns about Laris' "attitude" expressed to the pre-sentence report writer.

Lawyer Virginia Pearson said her client's comments had been taken out of context as she had only been trying to explain her circumstances would have made it difficult for her to comply with an electronically monitored sentence.

Laris cared for a elderly ill parent, her father had terminal cancer, and other family dynamics with a child requiring extra attention, would make it difficult for her to comply, Ms Pearson said.

"She is worried in these circumstances ... she could breach the sentence to care for her children ... she doesn't want to be set up to fail," she said in submissions.

Ms Pearson said a sentence of community work coupled with supervision would be a deterrent sentence.

However, Ministry of Social Development prosecutor Anitesh Govind said the offending warranted a heavier sentence than community work.

Benefit fraud was not as "easily detected as one would suggest", he said.

"It was her duty to advise the ministry of any changes in her circumstances. This is taxpayers' money. The victims are the community," he said.

Laris has been paying back $20 a week from her single parent benefit since April.

At that rate it would take until 2023 to repay the debt, Mr Govind said. Laris had worked at four separate places while collecting a sickness benefit between September 2008 and December 2012, wrongfully collecting $19,499.80 in benefit payments.

Judge Morris said if she ordered the maximum hours of community work, Laris would affectively be paid $100 an hour for her fraud.

The amount of money involved was serious and at the least an electronically monitored sentence was warranted, the judge said.

"She is at greater peril."

The judge ordered another pre-sentence report be completed to assist the court at sentencing on November 13.