Legal News

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has prosecuted a benefit claimant over benefit fraud totalling more than £23,000.

Sally Anne Mullane, aged 64, of Mint Road in Banstead, Surrey was sentenced in February at Redhill Magistrates’ Court, after pleading guilty to dishonestly failing to tell Reigate & Banstead Borough Council about money she had in declared and undeclared bank accounts.

The fraud – which dates back to 2011 – saw Mrs Mullane claim £19,247.53 in Housing Benefit and £1,493.52 in Council Tax Support from the council, which she was not entitled to.

Mrs Mullane also underpaid her Council Tax by £1,026.28 – and also fraudulently claimed £1,331.80 in Employment Support Allowance from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

The fraud was uncovered by the Council’s Fraud and Error Team, working in partnership with the DWP.

Routine checks made in administering her benefit claim showed that since making her claim in 2009, Mrs Mullane had received very large sums of money into the bank account she had declared on her claim form.

Further investigation revealed that she had a second undeclared bank account, which had also received large undeclared deposits – and that Mrs Mullane had deliberately failed to notify the council or the DWP of this change in her circumstances.

In court, she was handed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

The council said that Mrs Mullane has since paid back her Council Tax and Council Tax Support overpayments – and has taken steps to begin paying back the overpayment of Housing Benefit.

Following sentencing, the Executive Member for Housing and Welfare, Councillor Rita Renton, said:

“We work hard to prevent, detect and investigate all types of fraud against the council and our taxpayers – Housing and Council Tax Benefit is there for people who really need it and we will not hesitate to prosecute those who abuse the system.

“If you are claiming benefit, it is important you tell us about changes in your circumstances that may affect your entitlement – or face the consequences.

“I hope this serves as a warning to others that trying to cheat the system does not pay.”

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

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

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

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a benefit fraud solicitor can attend interviews under caution with council fraud investigators and DWP investigators to advise on charges.

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