Runcorn benefit cheat hit with £6k bill for defrauding Halton Borough Council and Department for Work and Pensions

Jul 23 2009 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A FRAUDSTER has been stung with a bill of more than £6,000 after she swindled the council and DWP out of benefits.

Clare Wilson, 32, of Bridgeway West, Windmill Hill, pleaded guilty at Runcorn Magistrates Court of failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions that she was living with her employed husband, despite claiming housing and council tax benefits.

Advanced credit searches showed that the couple had applied for credit from the same address between November 21, 2001 and September 27, 2007.

Wage details received from the husband’s employers confirmed his address as Bridgeway West, and that he had his wages paid into a joint bank account that he holds with Clare Wilson.

A council investigation concluded that she was not entitled to income support for the period her husband was living at the address.

And as a result, she incurred a total benefit overpayment of £6,256.

She received a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £150 towards the council’s legal fees.

In addition, she must repay her overpayment of benefits to both the council and DWP.