Benefit cheat to pay back over £15,550

A benefit cheat who defrauded the council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of over £15,550 has received a suspended prison sentence; ordered to undertake 80 hours unpaid work, repay the overpayment and costs.

Tara Bates, 30 of Jackson Avenue, Paddington pleaded guilty to undeclared capital at Warrington Crown Court on Monday 28 July.

Between May 2004 and January 2007, she was overpaid Income Support of £6,707 housing benefit of £6,941 and council tax benefit of £1,900.

She was prosecuted under Section 111A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, for failing to promptly notify a change in her circumstances, namely the fact that she has undeclared capital.

Bates was sentenced to 32 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months on the condition that she does 80 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £250 costs.

Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits manager, said: “There are no ifs, no buts when it comes to benefit fraud. Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing. That’s why we are targeting benefit thieves. This case is yet another clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit fraud.”

People in Warrington can give information about alleged fraudsters free and in confidence on the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440.

Issued by:  Gina Coldrick, Press Officer
Date:   Tuesday 29 July, 2008
Release: Immediate