Childcare director jailed for four years over $3.6m of fraudulent benefit claims

Lawyers for Melissa Jade Higgins, who was convicted of 81 offences in November, have filed a motion of intention to appeal

A NSW childcare director who bought a pool, expensive car and house with $3.6m worth of fraudulently obtained federal government payments has been sentenced to at least four years in jail.

But lawyers for Melissa Jade Higgins, who was convicted of 81 offences in November, have already filed a motion of intention to appeal and a bail application was expected to be heard later on Friday.