Legal News

A supply teacher who claimed benefits while teaching at a primary school has been suspended until September by the General Teaching Council for Wales, after being told she could bring the profession into disrepute.

The Daily Mail reports that as well as fraudulently claiming benefits, 57-year-old Christine Page also failed to declare a lump sum of £5,249 she received after being made redundant in 2007.

Ms Page claimed £6,860 in Housing Benefit and Council Tax while working as a supply teacher covering for absent staff at Penally Primary School in Tenby, West Wales. The school has now become the Penally Centre for children with behavioural difficulties.

Ms Page should have declared her redundancy money to Pembrokeshire County Council when she claimed Council Tax benefit – and was convicted of benefit fraud by Swansea Crown Court, which sentenced her in 2012 to carrying out 200 hours of unpaid work under a community order.

She is now working as a staff cover supervisor at another school – but a disciplinary hearing of the General Teaching Council for Wales in Cardiff was told that the supply teacher had falsely claimed benefits for three years.

Case presenter Rhiannon Dale told the disciplinary panel:

“Teachers are expected to provide pupils with a moral compass.

“This is not a matter of a trivial offence – the behaviour lasted over a three-and-a-half year period and resulted in a considerable loss of public funds.

“Her actions have been inconsistent with those expected of a registered teacher – and could bring the profession into disrepute.”

The panel imposed a suspension order which will not be lifted until 31 August – meaning Ms Page will be unable to continue her work as a supply teacher until at least September, when the next school year begins.

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

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

• Bedroom Tax
• Blue Badge Fraud
• Child Tax Credits
• Council Tax Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credits
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credits.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors.

For expert legal advice on criminal charges relating to benefit fraud, call Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors on 020 7923 4020.