A Mildura woman has narrowly escaped a jail sentence after attempting to defraud the Australian Taxation Office ATO of $115,000 by lying about running a pet grooming business. Key points Jennifer Blanke’s early guilty plea and willingness to seek drug rehabilitation were acknowledged by the court She received $20,000 from the ATO and submitted three more fraudulent claims Blanke has been sentenced to a 26-month recognisance order Jennifer Blanke, 39, was caught falsifying GST claims using the Australian Business Number of a dog grooming business she previously managed but no longer operated. Together with her former partner, 34-year-old Nathan Finlay, who died in a fatal stabbing in Mildura last year, Blanke fabricated documents for four claims amounting to $115,000. She pleaded guilty in the Mildura County Court to dishonestly obtaining financial advantage from a Commonwealth entity, which had resulted in a $20,000 payment from the ATO for the first claim. Blanke also pleaded guilty to making three more claims totalling $95,000, but those were not paid out. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. Jennifer Blanke’s personal circumstances were noted by the court. Mildura-Swan Hill ‘Slave’ to meth County Court Judge Fiona Todd sentenced Blanke to a 26-month recognisance release order. Under the order, Blanke must continue rehabilitation treatment for substance abuse and maintain good behaviour. “The combination of your personal circumstances, your early plea and the other matters before me does make appropriate a recognisance release order, with you to be conditionally released,” Judge Todd told Blanke during sentencing. “Your offending took place in the context of what was clearly a chaotic and unstable existence, driven by a severe drug addiction. “For the past eight years, you have been a slave to your methamphetamine addiction.” Judge Todd acknowledged that Blanke had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and willingly sought out rehabilitation. Honesty system Crown prosecutor Michael Keks previously told the court that immediate imprisonment would be the only suitable sentence for Blanke’s actions. But defence lawyer Julien Lowy submitted that the offence was unsophisticated and could be addressed effectively through rehabilitation. “It is well recognised that those who systematically defraud the public revenue of large sums of money over a substantial period should be sentenced to substantial terms of imprisonment,” Judge Todd told the court. “The GST collection system relies heavily on the honesty of its participants. “In cases like yours, considerations of general deterrence play a critical role in the sentencing process.” Blanke has been ordered to pay $18,396 in court costs. Mildura Swan Hill ” local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Wednesday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Privacy Collection Statement . Email address Subscribe