Fraudster pays the price

A woman who claimed over £10,000 in benefits she was not entitled to has been ordered to repay the money and perform 80 hours of community service.

The woman from the borough of Hertsmere had been in receipt of housing and council tax benefit since December 2004 but failed to notify the council that she had found work. 

She claimed £10,182.52 in housing benefit and £1,198.73 in council tax benefit between 11 December 2004 and 11 December 2005.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining benefits by deception on 16 August 2007 and the case was adjourned until this week's sentencing at St Albans Magistrates Court. 

The 80 hours of community service is to be unpaid and completed within 12 months under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The amount outstanding to be repaid is £9,851 and can be paid in instalments each month determined by the magistrates court fines office.  The court will forward monies to the council upon receipt.

She was also ordered to pay our legal costs of £250.

Councillor Rebecca Foy, Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, said: "We hope this sentence serves as a warning to anyone thinking of claiming benefits they are not entitled to.  As we've said before, benefit fraud will not be tolerated in Hertsmere."