Benefit fraud netted £18k

9:10am Monday 4th December 2006

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Two benefit fraudsters who dishonestly claimed more than £18,000 between them have been handed suspended jail sentences.

Ann Marie Treglown, 30, of Hayden Lane, Nuffield, and Ann-Marie Mould, 23, of Ockley Brook, Didcot, both admitted dishonestly claiming housing and council tax benefit from South Oxfordshire District Council.

Didcot magistrates heard that Treglown fraudulently claimed more than £16,000 in housing and council tax benefit by failing to declare changes in income, and Mould made false representations to claim over £2,000.

Treglown, who admitted two charges, was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and 200 hours community work. She was also ordered to pay £50 costs.

Mould, who admitted four charges, was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment. The sentence was suspended for 12 months.

SODC said it was now taking action to recover the dishonestly claimed benefit.

SODC's cabinet member for finance, Rodney Mann said: "The council continues to lead the fight against benefit fraud. We are all victims of the cheats who steal millions of pounds of public money each year.

"We have already prosecuted five of the most serious offenders since April and have another four awaiting trial.

"We have also imposed financial penalties and cautions upon 28 others. One Wallingford pensioner who admitted benefit fraud immediately repaid £35,000 she had amassed."