A woman in Cornwall has admitted making false statements when claiming housing and council tax in a benefit fraud totalling over £24,786.
On 28 February 2014, Shirley Edwards, 52 of Rose Hill, Lostwithiel attended Truro Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to offences of making false statements when claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit in 2009.
It had been identified that when Mrs Edwards had made a claim for benefit in January 2009, she had failed to disclose on the benefit claim form, that she had an ISA containing capital in excess of the limits for receiving means tested benefits and also that she co-owned a property.
After hearing the facts of the case and taking into account the early guilty plea, magistrates sentenced Mrs Edwards to a three year conditional discharge.
Mrs Edwards was also ordered to pay the council’s investigation costs of £936.38 The £24,786.87 housing and council tax benefit overpaid as result of Mrs Edwards failing to declare her savings and property has been repaid in full.
Cornwall Council operates a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to fraud and corruption. Contact the confidential fraud hotline on freephone 0800 7316125.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here