THREE Trafford benefit fraudsters, who wrongfully claimed more than £50,000 from the taxpayer, have been convicted.

The three claimants, from Stretford and Urmston, appeared in court in December and January charged with dishonestly claiming benefits, including housing benefit, income support and council tax benefit.

Jody Silk, 27, of Gorse Street, Stretford, was convicted at Manchester Crown Court on December 23 for fraudulently claiming £13,174.74 in income support and £24,793.19 in council tax benefit.

Silk claimed she was a single mum despite living with her partner, who was in full time work. She was sentenced to a 12 month community order and must carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

Loris Craig, 58, of Leagate, Urmston, was convicted at Trafford Magistrates Court on January 8 for dishonestly claiming £7,867.09 in housing benefit.

Craig had received housing benefit on the basis she was in part time work but failed to declare that she had a second job.

She later failed to declare that she had started to receive a private pension and that her earnings had increased.

Craig entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to a 12 week curfew from Monday to Thursday between 7pm and 5am. She was also ordered to pay £250 towards the cost of the prosecution.

Marjorie Woolley-Marsh, 40, of Castle Avenue, Stretford, was convicted on the same day as Craig for fraudulently claiming £4,246.68 in housing benefit.

Woolley-Marsh received the benefits on the basis she was in part-time work but failed to disclose that she had changed jobs on two separate occasions and earned more money.

She entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to an 18 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £265 in court costs.

All of the money fraudulently claimed is being recovered by the Department of Work and Pensions and Trafford Council.

Cllr Patrick Myers said: “I hope as shown in these recent cases, we will recover any overpaid benefits and when appropriate prosecute offenders and I would encourage anyone who suspects someone is claiming benefits that they are not entitled to let us know as soon as possible in the strictest confidence.”

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