Same old, same old

A benefits cheat who falsely claimed nearly £43,000 from the taxpayer has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Susan Le Tissier, 35, from Aylesbury, pleaded guilty to failing to report that her partner, Kevin Green, was living with her.

This resulted in her fraudulently receiving £25,916 in income support from the Department for Work and Pensions plus housing and council benefit of £18,197 from Aylesbury Vale District Council.

So they threw the book at her? Hmm ...

As well as an 18 week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, Le Tissier was also told she must carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work and pay £100 in court costs.

She will also have to repay all the money she dishonestly obtained.

Well lawks, stand by for her to deluge us with her repayments.

The case was brought by the district council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Councillor Neil Blake, cabinet member for resources at the district council, said:

I hope that the result of this investigation sends out a clear message to everyone that AVDC will not tolerate benefit cheats and those caught will be placed before the courts.

We work closely with the DWP, and other government bodies, to share information about those suspected of fraud and to gather evidence for prosecutions so the chance of getting away with making false claims reduces all the time.

The reason we take such a hard line is because we realise that every pound which goes into a fraudster’s pocket is a pound that could have been spent on parks, community centres and other facilities that benefit the whole community.

I would encourage anyone who is claiming benefit and has a change of circumstances to declare this at the earliest opportunity.

Yes, Yes. But she got away with it for several years, didn't she.