A WOMAN falsely claimed benefit totalling more than £9,000, it was alleged at Warrington Magistrates’ court
Sarah Gallagher, 37, of Pheasant Close, Birchwood, Warrington, denied claiming benefit without disclosing she was living with a partner who was in full employment, but was found guilty.
The court was told the woman failed to notify either Warrington Borough Council or the Department for Work and Pensions that she had been living with a partner since January 2011 and he was in full time employment.
As a result she received £4,460 housing benefit, £1,028 council tax benefit and £3,904 Job Seekers Allowance – a total of £9,392 – to which she was not entitled.
She was given a 12 month community order, including 100 hours unpaid work,
ordered to repay the overpayments and ordered to pay £200 costs.
After the hearing, Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits manager, said: “Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing. All benefit theft is crime and the council is determined to bring fraudsters to justice.”
A WOMAN falsely claimed benefit totalling more than £9,000, it was alleged at Warrington Magistrates' court
Woman's £9,000 benefit fraud
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
