Benefit cheats are punished

8:43am Saturday 17th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

BENEFITS fraudsters from Crewe and Nantwich have been brought to book in court.

Four borough residents went before South Cheshire Magistrates charged with offences under the Social Security Administration Act.

Carly Trigg pleaded guilty to knowingly making false representation by declaring she was a lone parent when, in fact, she was living with her partner David Cullerton.

Cullerton pleaded guilty to knowingly allowing to be produced, information which was false.

Trigg was sentenced to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work and fined £419.81 costs.

Cullerton was sentenced to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £419.81.

A collection order was applied to both defendants.

Anthony Graham was charged with knowingly failing to give prompt notification that he had started work.

He was given a curfew order and will have to wear an electronic tag for three months. Graham was also ordered to repay £780 and was subject to a collection order.

Andrea Alcock, who had previously pleaded not guilty to two charges under the Social Security Administration Act, was found guilty of both.

She had failed to declare that her partner had moved in with her.

Alcock was fined £500, was sentenced to a 12-month community order and was issued with a three-month curfew order in force from 7pm-7am every day.

The borough council's Benefits Investigation Section manager Sally-Anne Poole said: "The council and courts treat benefit fraud, of any kind, as a very serious matter.

"Benefit thieves drain resources meant for more vulnerable members of the community.

"We will continue to crack down to make sure benefit is only paid to those who act within the law."

Anyone wishing to report a suspected fraud should contact the Fraud Hotline on 0800 3892787.