An Enderby resident has been sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for a year after fraudulently claiming more than £24,000 in benefits.
Kelly Marie Green, 28, of Salts Close, Enderby, did not declare her employed partner (now husband) had moved into the family home, and continued to claim income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
Between July 2008 and November 2011, she fraudulently claimed £7,999.48 income support, £12,930.96 housing benefit and £3,331.04 council tax benefit, making a total overpayment of £24,261,48.
Kelly pleaded guilty to two offences on Monday 29th July 2013 at Leicester Magistrates Court for dishonestly failing to notify Blaby District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.
She was sentenced to six weeks custody for each offence, to run concurrently but suspended for twelve months, as well as 200 hours of unpaid work, £40 costs and £80 victim surcharge.
Full recovery of the overpayment is being pursued in addition to the criminal prosecution.
Councillor Terry Richardson, Finance and Efficiency portfolio holder at Blaby District Council, said:
“It is very important we are notified immediately of changes in circumstances, such as a partner moving in, as it can affect benefit entitlements. Benefit fraud costs the tax payer a lot of money, at a time when honest people are really feeling the pinch.
“Our track record at investigating and uncovering fraud is excellent and we work very hard to catch the people who commit it. We will continue to do whatever we can to prosecute those who think they can get away with cheating the system.”
Benefit cheats in Blaby district can be reported online at www.blaby.gov.uk/fraud or by calling 0116 272 7733 .
All calls are confidential and callers can remain anonymous.