Custodial sentence for benefit fraud

Inderdeep Bains • Published 24 Feb 2009 16:00 0 Comments

A WOMAN has started a 20-week prison sentence after falsely claiming almost £12,000 in benefits.

Irene Wellington, 57, of Maidenhead was found guilty of three offences of dishonestly failing to give notice to the Royal Borough and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that her circumstances had changed.

Between 28 August 2006 and 29 October 2007 she received housing benefit over-payments of £5,094.80, council tax benefit over-payments of £927.46 and income support over-payments of £5,894.58 - a total of £11,916.84.

The Borough and the DWP's fraud investigation service initiated a joint investigation after receiving anonymous information that Mrs Wellington of Mapledurham Walk, was living with a partner while claiming housing and council tax benefit and income support as a single parent.

She received the sentence at Bracknell Magistrates Court last Thursday (19/02) after being found guilty in January.

Cllr David Hilton, lead member for finance, said: "Hopefully anyone who is contemplating committing benefit fraud will think again when they see the potential consequences.

"To anyone who has already received overpayments my plea is to let the council know so that we can work with them to sort out the situation."

The council's confidential and free Beat the Cheat line for reporting suspected benefit fraud incidents is 0500 353300.

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This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 01 Jan 70

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