23 July 2008

Benefits cheat in court

A Wealden woman was given a six month suspended sentence, and ordered to do 150 hours community service, after dishonestly claiming nearly £12,400 in income support.

Mrs Patricia Marie Daire (50) of Rainbow Corner, Western Road, Hailsham; had also dishonestly claimed £891 in Council Tax Benefit.

She pleaded guilty at Lewes Magistrates Court on July 14 to two offences of claiming Income Support and Council Tax benefits while dishonestly failing to notify the Department of Works and Pensions and Wealden District Council of a change in circumstances which affected her entitlement.

Mrs Daire had been claiming Income Support and Council tax benefits from March 3, 2003 to May 28, 2004 when she had actually been working during that time for Thomas Cook Airlines.

"People who continue to claim benefits when they start receiving a full income will eventually get caught , as this case shows," said Councillor Bob Standley, Cabinet Member for Finance & Assets. "It may appear to be an easy crime to commit, but failing to provide the proper information about your current circumstances will land the claimant in trouble.
This Council, along with its partners like the DWP, takes a proactive approach to finding and preventing fraud."

In mitigation, the court heard how Mrs Daire had found herself in financial difficulties following the breakdown of her relationship with her husband. Her six month suspended sentence will run for a period of two years.
This prosecution was the result of a joint investigation by Wealden District Council and the Department of Works and Pensions.