Two women from Carlton and Ravenshead have received a two-month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and a community order for 12 months respectively for fraudulently claiming Housing and Council Tax benefits.
Susan Hopkins, 56, from Carlton pleaded guilty to two offences of allowing her husband to fail to give a prompt notification of a change of circumstances. When interviewed by Gedling Borough Council, Mrs Hopkins admitted that she had savings in excess of £16,000 that her husband was unaware of when he made an application for Housing and Council Tax benefit. The court ordered the claimant to repay £18,636.42 of Housing Benefit and £3,313.27 of Council Tax Benefit back to the council and pay £80 victim surcharge and £270 costs.
Melissa Minion age 24, from Ravenshead, pleaded guilty to three offences relating to failing to declare to Gedling Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, that her partner Neil Ball, who was in remunerative work; lived with her whilst she claimed benefits as a lone parent at an address in Ravenshead Nottingham between January 2013 and January 2014.
Miss Minion fraudulently received a total of £9,262.64 in Income Support and Housing and Council Tax Benefits of which all must be repaid. Miss Minion was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £330 prosecution costs.
If you know someone who you think is claiming benefits fraudulently, please contact the council on 0115 901 39700115 901 3970 or email housingbenefits@gedling.gov.uk
