£5.000 benefit fraud
A Beverley resident has received a criminal record after admitting benefit fraud.
Deborah Westmorland, aged 47, of Rosedale Walk, Beverley, appeared before Beverley Magistrates.
She pleaded guilty to failing to give a prompt notification of a change in circumstances affecting her entitlement to both housing and council tax benefit, contrary to Section 112 (1A) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.
Investigators from East Riding of Yorkshire Council received information via the confidential national anti-fraud hotline indicating that Miss Westmorland may have undeclared capital.
A subsequent investigation established that Miss Westmorland had received inheritance in excess of £16,000.
Miss Westmorland received an 18-month order of conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £532.50 towards legal costs.
She will also have to repay the £4,972.42 housing and council tax benefit she fraudulently received during the period December 2010 to May 2012.
Richard Johnson, sanctions officer, said: “Those who choose to deliberately commit benefit fraud should be aware that it is only a matter of time before they are brought before the courts. Taxpayers are the victims of benefit fraud and I urge East Riding residents to report their suspicions to us, providing as much information as possible.
This prosecution was taken after consideration of East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s prosecution policy.
Anyone who suspects benefit fraud in the East Riding area can call the 24-hour benefit fraud hotline in confidence on 01482 394949, text 07786 200 850, or email benefit.fraud@eastriding.gov.uk
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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