AN Altrincham woman was found guilty of benefit fraud after falsely claiming more than £3,000 in job seekers allowance.
Lucy Gibbs, 29, of Borough Road, was convicted at Trafford Magistrates Court on June 27.
She was found to have dishonestly obtained jobseekers allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions and housing and council tax benefit from Trafford Council, amounting to £3,459.48.
The court heard that Miss Gibbs failed to declare she had been working, resulting in her being overpaid between November 2011 and June 2012.
She was sentenced to a 12-month community punishment order with the requirement to do 80 hours unpaid work.
She must also pay £340 towards prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £60.
Trafford Council and the Department for Work and Pensions are seeking to recover all the monies fraudulently obtained by Miss Gibbs.
Executive councillor, Patrick Myers, said: "Benefit fraud is something which the council is committed to tackling. I would urge all benefit claimants to report changes in their circumstances so they do not receive money they are not entitled to."
Anyone who suspects anyone of benefit fraud can contact Trafford Council on 0161 912 2852 or via Freefone number 0800 328 6340.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article