Codsall benefit cheats found guilty
A couple from South Staffordshire who falsely
claimed over £4,500 in housing and council tax benefit have been
fined by Magistrates and ordered to pay over £250 in court
costs.
Venice Archer-Dyer, prosecuting on behalf of
South Staffordshire Council told Stafford Magistrates on
28th January that Miss Samantha Newton, aged 25 of Arps
Road in Codsall and her partner Mr Adam Woollaston, aged 29, also
of Arps Road had been falsely claiming benefits since May 2007.
The court heard how the couple had failed to
tell the council that Newton, who had been claiming benefits
because she was on maternity leave, had later returned to work; and
that Woollaston and Newton had also started claiming working tax
credits but they’d failed to inform the council about these
changes.
By failing to report the changes in their
circumstances, the couple were overpaid housing benefit totalling
£3462.37 and council tax benefit of £1131.12, totalling £4593.49,
which the council described as a ‘substantial amount’.
The couple pleaded guilty under section 112 of
the Social Security Administration Act.
Newton was ordered to pay a fine of £130.00, a
victim surcharge of £15.00 and £126.00 towards the council’s
costs.
Woollaston was fined £100.00 and was also
ordered to pay a £15.00 victim surcharge and £126.00 towards the
council’s costs.
The overpaid money is now being repaid by the
couple in weekly instalments.
Councillor Roy Wright, (Deputy
Leader) Direct Services at South Staffordshire Council said:
“This case just shows how important it
is that if you’re claiming benefits and your circumstances change,
you need to tell us straightaway.”
“If you keep claiming when your
circumstances have changed, you could find yourself in court and
end up paying a lot more than you’d bargained for.”
South Staffordshire Council is also reminding
residents that anyone who wishes to report a suspicion of
Housing/Council Tax Benefit Fraud can call the council’s 24 hour
Hotline number 0500 658 008. All calls are treated
in the strictest confidence.
Links
Suspect someone of benefit fraud?
Contact
Benefit Fraud Hotline
Telephone: (0500) 658008
Email: benefitsinvestigation@sstaffs.gov.uk