A grandmother who claimed more than £60,000 in benefits she was not entitled to has been put behind bars.
Patricia Campbell was paid income support, housing benefit and given council tax relief on the basis she lived alone.
But Newcastle Crown Court heard over a five-and-a-half year period the mum-of-four lived with her husband, who was earning a wage.
The 47-year-old, who has paid back just £40 out of the £61,482, had already launched the scam when she was dealt with by the courts in 2004 for claiming handouts while working.
Judge Michael Cartlidge jailed the 47-year-old, from South Shields, for nine months.
The judge said: “She was not entitled to the benefits because she failed to mention that she was living with her husband, who was working.
“The overpayment is for £61,482. What this lady has done is deprive the community of more than £60,000, which she was not entitled to.
“The offending I have to sentence her for began in 2004. It was a time when she was about to be sentenced for dishonest representations she made between 2003 and 2004.”
Campbell had pleaded guilty to three offences of benefit fraud during a hearing last week.
Prosecutor Lee Fish told the court her claim for government help started out legitimately.
But Mr Fish said: “She has, however, been paid benefit to which she was not entitled as she failed to report a material change in her personal circumstances, namely that she was living with her husband who was in employment. This change occured in February 2004.”
He said his records show Campbell has paid back £40 of what she owes.
David Combe, defending, said Campbell, who has been in debt to loan sharks, looks after two of her young grandchildren as well as having four grown-up children. He urged the judge, to suspend the jail sentence.
Mr Combe said: “Others as much as her are likely to suffer if she went to prison immediately.
h/t Dave
0 comments:
Post a Comment