Benefit cheats caught

TWO Warrington benefit cheats have been caught, sentenced and ordered to pay back the money.
Nicola Pearson, 26, of Mathers Close, Warrington appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to two charges of benefit fraud.
She had failed to inform the council and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that she was living with her partner and he was in full time employment.
Pearson had falsely claimed £7,434 housing benefit and £1,216 council tax benefit from the council and £4,016 from the DWP.
Pearson was given a six-month curfew 7pm to 7am and ordered to repay the overpayments which amounted to £12,666.
In a separate case Dean Sutton, 53, of Wooddale Close, Warrington appeared at Halton Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to four charges of benefit fraud.
Sutton had failed to inform the council and DWP that he had a change in circumstances, had returned to full time employment and was falsely claiming disability allowance.
He claimed £1,475 council tax benefit from the council and £19,407 employment support allowance and disability living allowance.
Sutton was ordered to repay the money, given a 12 week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, 12 month supervised community order, 26 weeks tagged curfew and ordered to repay the overpayments which amounted to £20,882.
Adrian Webster, head of benefits and exchequer services, said: “Every day in the UK over 200 benefit thieves are caught – the clear message is – if you commit benefit fraud you will be caught.”