Hereford Woman Guilty of £18k Benefit Fraud

A Hereford woman has been sentenced to a 150 hour Community Punishment Order after conning the benefit system out of more than £18,000.

Christine Smith, aged 38, of Primrose Close, Hereford, failed to declare she was living with her husband since December 2001 while claiming Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit on the basis she lived alone with her dependant children.

Worcester Crown Court heard today, Friday, August 26, that the total amount of benefit that Smith had obtained fraudulently was £18,649.82. 

Fraud investigators from the Department of Work and Pensions worked closely with Herefordshire Council’s anti-fraud team on the case.

James Plaskitt, anti-benefit fraud Minister, said: “DWP, in partnership with local authorities, is taking action against more fraudsters than ever before – in 2003/04 there were over 37,000 prosecutions and sanctions.

“We are taking a tough line on benefit fraudsters because they steal £1.5 billion a year – money that should be spent on schools and hospitals.

“Our investigators have more powers than ever before – we can check the bank accounts and household bills of those we suspect of fraud.

“If you suspect anyone of benefit fraud please call the National benefit Fraud Hotline on freephone 0800 854440.  All calls are treated in the strictest of confidence.”

Herefordshire Council’s Benefit Investigation Manager, Karen Darby, said: “This sends a clear message that we take benefit fraud within Herefordshire very seriously and are pleased that working in partnership with the DWP is producing successful results.”