A BENEFIT cheat from Warrington has escaped prison despite fraudulently claiming more than £15,000.
Tara Bates, 30, from Jackson Avenue, Paddington, was overpaid income support by £6,707, housing benefit by £6,941 and tax benefit by £1,900.
She pleaded guilty at Warrington Crown Court to a charge of obtaining benefit while failing to declare that she had capital.
Bates will have to pay the full amount back to Warrington Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.
She also received a 32-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, ordered to complete 80 hours unpaid work and pay £250 costs.
After the court hearing, the council’s benefit manager, Adrian Webster, said: “There are no ifs, no buts when it comes to benefit fraud. Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing. That’s why we are targeting benefit thieves. This case is yet another clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit fraud.”
Residents can give information about alleged offences of benefit fraud in confidence by contacting the National Benefit Fraud hotline on 0800 854 440.
Woman obtained £15,000 by deception
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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.
