Barnsley benefit frauds

Three Barnsley residents have been taken to court by the council for benefit fraud totalling nearly £18,000. Two got off very lightly.

Carl Nicholls falsely claimed £12,160 in housing benefit by failing to report that his landlord was actually his father. Barnsley Magistrates sentenced him to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered that he undertake 150 hours' unpaid work in the community, and pay costs of £300.

Derek Mosley pleaded guilty to obtaining £3,096 in housing benefit and council tax benefit by failing to declare that his son, James Mosley, had started work. He told Barnsley Council in February that his son James was working as a painter and decorator, but had failed to report the change at the time James started work in July 2007. Magistrates ordered a conditional discharge for three years and £295 costs.

Tracey Senior pleaded guilty to obtaining £2,732 in housing and council tax benefit by failing to report that her husband, Darren Senior, was working as a driver. Senior admitted she had submitted false statements to obtain benefit and failed to tell the council when her husband started work. She was given a three-year conditional discharge plus £295 costs.