Linslade benefits fraudster pays the price of lies
A 32-year-old Linslade woman must pay back more than £16,000 after she was found fiddling her housing benefit.
Siobhan Forde of New Road, has been given an 18 month community sentence and supervision order, during which she will have to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work, after pleading guilty to three counts of falsely claiming benefits.
Luton Magistrates Court heard that Forde submitted a benefit claim form to Central Beds Council in which she said that she lived alone. She also produced a fake tenancy agreement which stated that Gary Jones was her landlord at the address, when he was actually her partner and they were renting from a third party.
Forde will have to repay £16,559.84 in housing benefit, Job Seekers allowance and Council Tax benefit she received unlawfully as well as pay costs of £250.
After the case Councillor Maurice Jones, spokesman for the council’s corporate resources, said: “Benefits cheats take money away from those people who really need it. This joint investigation with Jobcentreplus clearly shows that we will not tolerate abuse of the benefits system and will take appropriate action against those who do try to make a fraudulent claim.
“While we take a hard line against anyone who falsely claims benefits, help is always available for people who are genuinely entitled to receive financial aid.”
“Our confidential fraud hotline - 0300 3005557 is open 24 hours a day, for anyone who suspects someone might be claiming benefits fraudulently.
“Any residents who want information about paying their Council Tax or to find out whether they are eligible for Council Tax or Housing Benefit can call our Money and Benefits Helpline on 0300 3008306.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
