A SALE couple have been convicted for fraud after falsely claiming council tax benefits for over 20 years.

Anna Carvell, 57, and her partner Russell Newall, 57, of Northenden Road, Sale were convicted on Thursday, July 5 for falsely obtaining a Council Tax discount.

Carvell failed to report to the Council that Mr Newall was living in the property with her and benefited from a 25 per cent reduction to her Council Tax.

Over a span of 22 years, from April 1, 1996 to March 31, 2018, the pair received £6,118.73 in council tax benefits by falsely claiming single person discounts.

The couple were convicted at Greater Manchester Magistrates Court on July 5.

Carvell was ordered to carry out 60 hours unpaid work and Mr Newall was sentenced to a 12 month community order of 100 hours of unpaid work.

They were also ordered to pay costs of £200 as well as a victim surcharge of £85. In both cases, the court took into account the pair's early guilty pleas.

Executive Member for Finance, Mike Cordingley, said: “Falsely claiming council tax discount is illegal and costs the council money that could be spent elsewhere, for example supporting our frontline services.

"Trafford is currently undertaking a council tax discount review with many households being contacted to confirm their eligibility.

"It’s vital that people report any changes in their circumstances to us as soon as they occur.”

Trafford Council said it has already recovered in full the additional council tax owed by the couple.

The offence was detected by Council Counter Fraud Officers following a data matching exercise. It highlighted the fact that the couple had been living together for some time whilst continuing to claim the discount on the basis that Miss Carvell was the only adult living in the property.

During the period of the offences they had moved house but continued to claim the discount. Newall had falsely stated he was living elsewhere when the Council questioned who was resident at their current address, when they moved there in 2003.

If you suspect anyone of carrying out fraud against the authority please contact Trafford Council on 0161 912 2771/2166/1839/2106.