Kerry Loxham, formerly from Fenstanton, received a 12-month community order at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court last week, and was required to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, on two charges of benefit fraud between January and November 2008.
The court heard that Loxham, who now lives in Yorkshire, made a legitimate claim for benefit in 2007 when she declared that she was an unemployed lone parent. In late 2008 she reported to the council that she had started work for a local bakery, but declared the work only from the end of October 2008.
Suspicion arose about the date, and an investigation revealed that she had started work in January 2008. She had been overpaid £3,994 in housing and Council Tax benefits.
The magistrates were reminded that Loxham had been due to attend court in June this year, but failed to attend a number of hearings. The matter was eventually heard in her absence and she was found guilty based on the evidence presented to the court. An arrest warrant for her attendance to be sentenced was issued, but not served until September because she had left her property in Fenstanton, without telling the authorities, to move to Yorkshire.
Michelle Cheatle, for Loxham, said her client deeply regretted her actions and accepted that she had been at fault. She also accepted that she should have reported leaving the Fenstanton address, but did not because of personal issues. Miss Cheatle added that, if her client had attended court as required, she would have pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
In addition to the community order, Loxham was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £640. She will also have to repay all the benefits overpaid.
It is estimated that benefit fraud costs Huntingdonshire District Council over £500,000 every year.
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