Benefit cheats claimed £12,000

FOUR benefit cheats who between them falsely claimed almost £12,000 have been ordered by Warrington magistrates to re-pay the money.
Nigel Brocklehurst, 27 and formerly of Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington, appeared in court after a warrant was issued for his arrest following his failure to attend a previous hearing.
He pleaded guilty to failing to inform the council that he had started work. As a result he was overpaid housing benefit of £1,054 and council tax benefit of £160.
He was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 costs along with repayment of the overpayment.
Michelle Jones, 38 of Howson Road, Orford, Warrington was found guilty of failing to inform the council of a change in her circumstances, and continuing to receive housing benefit payments when she moved house to live with her partner.
She was overpaid housing benefit amounting to £2,961 and failed to attend court for sentencing and was fined £200 in her absence, ordered to repay the overpayment plus £500 costs.
Christine Colley, 46 of Poplars Avenue, Orford, Warrington admitted two offences of failing to declare that she had received a sum of money amounting to £42,000. She was overpaid housing benefit of £4,111 and council tax benefit if £724.
She was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to repay the overpayment plus £430 costs.
Wayne Gough, 29 of Whitethroat Walk, Birchwood, Warrington pleaded guilty to failing to inform the council that he had started work and was receiving tax credits. He was overpaid housing benefit of £2,442 and council tax benefit of £395. As well as a 12 month conditional discharge he was ordered to repay the overpayment plus £375 costs.
After the hearing, Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits manager, said: “Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing. That’s why we are targeting benefit thieves. We’re closing in on benefit thieves with every means at our disposal.”