Tag Archives: court

Woman charged in connection with Stoney Stanton child death

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Police CarA woman has been charged in connection with the death of a child in 2013.

One-year-old Harry Aspley became unwell at his home address in Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, and was taken to hospital on March 26.

He died on April 1.

Following a lengthy and complex police investigation, a 43-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter and child neglect.

She appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 4 February where she was remanded and is next due to appear at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday 18 February.

A 34-year old man has also been charged with child neglect and is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 27 February.

Photo: Scales of Justice

Mum of five spared jail term after claiming over £34,000 in benefits

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A mum of five has been spared a jail term after admitting two offences of benefit fraud that spanned seven years.

Marie Bryan, 34, of Southside Drive, Braunstone, Leicester, netted more than £34,000 in benefits from Blaby District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, claiming she was an unemployed single parent.

Leicester Crown Court heard that being a single mum and not working, Marie had qualified for income support and full housing and council tax benefits.

However she failed to inform the authorities when her partner, Aaron Baxter, came to live with her and that he was working. They had four children together.

Marie pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court on Monday 5th November 2012 to two charges of dishonestly making false statements to obtain just over £34k in benefit.

She was sentenced on Thursday 29th November 2012 and was given a 12 month community order with a requirement to complete 40 days at the Just Women Project in Braunstone.

Sentencing Judge Michael Pert QC said he was offering her an opportunity for a fresh start and it would be pointless to hand out a prison sentence, which would only be for a few weeks.

The overpaid benefits are being recovered by Blaby District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Councillor John Hudson, Finance and Efficiency portfolio holder at Blaby District Council, said:

“In this tough economic climate the public cannot afford to pay for people who are claiming benefits they are not entitled to.

“We will continue to work with other agencies to root out fraudsters who cost hardworking tax payers millions of pounds each year.”

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.

Photo: Scales of Justice

Benefit fraudster must work for free

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A woman who falsely claimed benefits for almost three years has been given a 12 month community order and told to do 180 hours unpaid work.

Sharon Colegrove, of Blaby Road, Enderby, was sentenced at Hinckley Magistrates Court on June 20 after pleading guilty to benefit fraud at an earlier hearing.

She was also ordered to pay £519 in legal costs.

Miss Colegrove falsely claimed £9,172.39 in housing and council tax benefit between September 2007 and July 2010 having failed to declare working tax credits.

The 39-year-old had previously received a formal caution for benefit fraud from Blaby District Council in 2006 after claiming £1,747.94 she was not entitled to.

Councillor John Hudson, portfolio holder for finance and efficiency said:

“Benefit fraud is a serious crime and we will prosecute people we catch trying to cheat the system.

“It is important that people keep their details up to date and promptly let the benefits team know if their circumstances change.”

The public can report benefit fraud at www.blaby.gov.uk/fraud or by calling the Council’s confidential hotline on 0116 272 7733.

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Benefit cheat to work for community

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Latest NewsOriginally published 16th January 2011

A benefit cheat who falsely claimed nearly £3,000 in benefit has been given a 12 month community order.

Between March and December 2009, Shayne Webster of Arden Avenue, Braunstone failed to notify Blaby District Council or the Department of Work and Pensions that he was working.

As a result, he received nearly £3,000 in Housing Benefit and Job Seekers Allowance that he was not entitled to.

The 26 year old pleaded guilty to benefit fraud at Leicester Magistrates Court on 7th January 2011 and following probation reports was given a 12 month Community Order for 80 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £100 court costs. Action is also being taken to recover the falsely claimed benefits.

Councillor John Hudson, finance and efficiency portfolio holder at Blaby District Council, said:

“This result, along with many other successful cases, should serve as a warning to anyone who is involved in benefit fraud. If they believe they can get away with stealing taxpayers’ money, they are mistaken.”

“We will continue to work with other agencies to root out these fraudsters who cost hardworking tax payers millions of pounds each year.”

If you suspect anyone in Blaby District of committing benefit fraud, please call the Council’s Benefit Fraud Hotline: 0116 272 7733.

All calls are confidential; callers can remain anonymous if they wish. You can also report a benefit thief online, and find out more information see the District Council website (link below).

Associated links

» Blaby District Council [Benefit Fraud]