Benefit cheats sentenced

3:40pm Saturday 29th November 2008

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A SALE woman who defrauded council tax payers to the tune of more than £4,000 has been sentenced to a 12 month community order.

Linda Jones, 56, of Wardle Road, Sale was convicted of dishonestly obtaining housing and council tax benefit amounting to £4398.85.

Trafford magistrates heard on Wednesday Jones plead guilty to the charges after failing to declare she had savings.

She was sentenced to a community order of 12 months with 12 months supervision and ordered to pay a contribution of £125 towards the costs.

A 49-year-old man from Altrincham has also been found guilty of housing benefit fraud.

Nicholas William Whyte, formerly of Barrington Road, Altrincham was convicted on Wednesday 26 November of dishonestly obtaining housing benefit of £461.50.

Whyte was found guilty in his absence of failing to notify Trafford Council’s benefits’ department he’d stopped claiming Job Seekers Allowance after getting a job.

As a result he was overpaid benefit between June and August in 2006.

He was sentenced at by Trafford magistrates to pay a fine of £390 and ordered to pay costs of £250.

If you suspect anyone of benefit fraud contact Trafford Council on 0161 912 2852.