Crime Solicitors

Trafford Council has prosecuted a 51-year-old woman for benefit fraud, after she claimed Housing Benefit she was not entitled to.

Lorraine Hudson of Garner Avenue in Timperley, near Altrincham, was convicted of dishonestly obtaining housing benefit amounting to £5,4081.09 from Trafford Council.

Council counter-fraud officers uncovered the fraud following a review of Hudson’s claim, which highlighted the correct ownership details of her address.

Hudson entered a guilty plea to three offences of dishonestly claiming Housing Benefit at an earlier hearing on 24 June 2016 – as well as falsely receiving housing benefit by failing to declare that her home was being rented from her sister.

This failure meant benefit officers were unable to investigate her eligibility to claim the benefit.

Had the true facts had been declared at the time of her claim, she would not have been entitled to any of the housing benefit that was awarded to her – resulting in an overpayment to her between February 2006 and June 2015.

Hudson was handed a six-month custodial sentence for each of the three offences, to run concurrently. The sentence was suspended for 24 months.

She was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work – and was ordered to pay £1,168.25 towards the cost of the prosecution.

In addition, she is required to repay the housing benefit that she wrongfully obtained from Trafford Council.

After sentencing, Executive Councillor Patrick Myers of Trafford Council said:

“Benefit fraud affects us all – it means lost revenue for the authority and the cost of chasing those who commit it through the courts.

“This can lead to higher council tax bills for us all – the benefits system is there to help those in need, not for the benefit of those who use it to defraud the residents of Trafford.

“Trafford Council will use all its powers to bring the perpetrators of benefit fraud to task – and will not hesitate to use the weight of the courts to achieve this.”

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving benefit fraud – including fraud charges relating to:

• Bedroom tax
• Blue badge fraud
• Child tax credit
• Disability living allowance
• Housing benefit
• Income support
• Jobseeker’s allowance
• Pension credits
• PIP
• Universal credit
• Working tax credits.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis solicitor can attend interview under caution with the DWP or local authority fraud teams.

For expert legal advice on benefit fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors on 0333 772 0409.