Bromsgrove benefit fraudster falsely claimed over £4,000

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A BROMSGROVE woman who fraudulently claimed more than £4,000 in benefits has been ordered to pay £330 and will repay the amount back in full.

Kathleen Prince, from Fallowfields Close in Sidemoor, claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit totalling £4,140.08 between November 2010 and September 2011 and failed to declare to the district council she was working.

The 47-year-old appeared at Redditch Magistrates Court last Tuesday (October 30) where she pleaded guilty.

The £330 she will have to pay includes a £65 fine, £250 towards the prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Ms Prince had already made arrangements to repay the falsely claimed benefit and magistrates also took into account her personal circumstances.

A spokesman from Bromsgrove District Council said: "This case again shows the importance of reporting changes in circumstances as soon as they take place when claiming housing benefit and/or council tax benefit and the consequences of not doing this."

Anyone who suspects benefit fraud should report it to the council by visiting www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/fraud or e-mailing fraud@bromsgrove.gov.uk or calling 01527 881 221.

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