Council and democracy

Another benefit fraudster prosecuted

Beverley Richards, 42, of Hancock Road pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates' Court to dishonestly failing to notify the council's benefits department that she had taken up a job at Lewisham Primary Care Trust.

The court heard that over a period of nearly two years, between 2005 and 2007, Miss Richards received £8974.92 in housing benefit and £2250.18 in council tax benefit, which she would not have been entitled to had she declared her employment.

The fraud was exposed as a result of a data matching exercise carried out by the Audit Commission. The match identified her employment and a claim for housing and council tax benefit in Croydon. Council files showed she had not declared her income from employment. 

Miss Richards was sentenced on Monday to a 100-hour community punishment order, to be completed within 12 months, and ordered to pay costs of £500.

She will also have to repay the benefit she received which she was not entitled to.

Councillor Gavin Barwell, cabinet member for resources and customer services, said: "I hope this case acts as a warning to others who think they can cheat the system - you will be found out and you will be prosecuted."
 
Anyone wishing to report a fraud can call the freephone Fraudline number on 0800 328 9270. Those calling the 24-hour line can do so anonymously.