A WOMAN who falsely claimed benefits as a single person when she was living with a partner appeared before Warrington Magistrates Court.
Jenny Bignell, 26, of St Mary’s Rd, Penketh, falsely claimed £7,917 from Warrington Borough Council.
She received a 150-hour community punishment order, was ordered to pay back the overpayment and pay £350 court costs.
The court heard she falsely claimed housing benefit of £6,572 and council tax benefit of £1,344, between February 2004 and November 2005.
She pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by the court. She was found not to have promptly notified a change in circumstances, namely that she was living with a partner.
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. This case is yet another clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit fraud.”
People in Warrington can give information about alleged fraudsters free and in confidence on the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440.
A WOMAN who falsely claimed benefits as a single person when she was living with a partner appeared before Warrington Magistrates Court.
Benefit cheat obtained £7,900
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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.
