Single parent frauds in Tamworth

A continued crackdown on benefit fraud has led to the conviction of three Tamworth mums.

The borough council and the Department for Work and Pensions successfully prosecuted the women in separate court cases last week.

Bryony Payne, Amy Wright and Kelly Rogerson pocketed almost £26,000 of taxpayers' money after claiming benefits they weren't entitled to.

Appearing before Burton magistrates, the trio pleaded guilty to failing to notify the authorities of a change in personal circumstances.

Valley Drive resident Payne claimed £13,528 in income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit in January 2009.

The 29-year-old had said she was a single parent, but had been living with her partner.

The overpayment was made up of £8,446 housing benefit, £1,081 council tax benefit and £4,001 income support.

Last Tuesday (November 29), magistrates sentenced Payne to a 12-month community order, with 240 hours' unpaid work, and ordered her to pay £100 costs.

She was also made to repay the £13,528 which was falsely claimed.

Twenty-eight-year-old Wright attended Burton Magistrates' Court on Monday, November 21, where she admitted to claiming benefits as a single parent while living with her partner.

The Honeybourne resident was overpaid £4,558 – £858 housing benefit, £570 council tax benefit and £3,129 income support.

Wright was sentenced to a community order, with 60 hours' unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £100 costs, as well as paying back the £4,558.

Tamworth's Kelly Louise Rogerson also claimed benefits as a single parent.

She failed to inform the council and DWP that her partner had moved in with her.

As a result, she illegally claimed £7,711. This was made up of £3,857 housing benefit, £755 council tax benefit and £3,098.95 income support.

Rogerson, who also appeared in court on Tuesday, was given a 12-month community order, 60 hours' unpaid work and ordered to pay £100 costs.

In addition, she must also repay the £7,711 unlawfully obtained.