Soft magistrates let Stoke-on-Trent down

A woman who continued to claim housing and council tax benefit despite moving out of her council property has been fined £65. Yes, £65. What a deterrent.

Dawn Watson moved into her Stoke-on-Trent city council house in Norton, in 2008, North Staffordshire magistrates heard.

But the court heard no electricity had been used in the house since June 2010. Prosecutor Trevor Vernon said: "She was a tenant at the council property. However, following information received by the benefit fraud investigations team it appeared she was no longer living at the property."

Mr Vernon said an investigator visited the property and formed the opinion it had not been occupied for some time.

Watson terminated her tenancy in September 2011 and the council relet the property in November, the court heard.

In total she was overpaid £3,702.96: £2,904.68 in housing benefit and £798.28 council tax benefit.

Watson pleaded guilty to fraud by dishonestly failing to disclose information.

Mike Kimberley, mitigating, said Watson moved into the house in September 2008.

She formed another relationship and started to stay with him.

"She kept on the property in case the relationship did not work out," said Mr Kimberley.

As well as the fine Watson must pay a £15 surcharge and £200 costs.

• Benefit thieves do it for the money. They should know they will have to pay back twice what they stole, and that they will get no benefits until they have. A confiscation order should be made immediately.
  
  Any benefit thieves who don't go to prison should also have to do community service.