Law student jeopardises career?

A law student has been found guilty of falsely claiming benefits she was not entitled to.

Tania Cabuzel, 40, from Acton, pleaded guilty to three counts of false representation and failing to disclose information. She admitted to fraudulently claiming £11,428 in Housing Benefit and £1,287 in Council Tax Benefit over a three-year period from January 2006 to January 2009.

Ms Cabuzel, who was studying law at Thames Valley University, failed to declare her status as a full-time student over a three-year period while claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. She also failed to declare supplementary income from student loans and grants that she received during that time.

Ms Cabuzel, who also goes under the name of Tania Camara, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, concurrent for each offence. She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, also concurrent for each offence. Ealing Council is also recovering the money that she claimed fraudulently.

Councillor Yvonne Johnson, cabinet member for Finance and Performance, said: "Ms Cabuzel knew that she was not entitled to the benefits she was claiming and lied to our investigators when interviewed under caution.

"What makes this case even more shocking is that she was a law student at the time of the fraud and would not only be able to tell the difference between right and wrong, but would also know the consequences of her actions.

"The council takes benefit fraud very seriously and we will always investigate those suspected of cheating" [my italics].