Crime Solicitors

A woman who claimed benefits fraudulently by claiming she had separated from her husband has been sentenced to a 12-month community order for falsely claiming £24,137.98 in benefits.

Hove Crown Court heard that from 2009 onwards, Kerry Allen, 36, from Crawley claimed nearly £25,000 in benefits from Crawley Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

After claiming that she and her husband were no longer living together, Allen claimed £15,739.40 in Housing Benefit, £5,349.62 in Income Support and £3,048.46 in Council Tax benefit.
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However, the council carried out an investigation into Allen and she was interviewed under caution by the DWP and Crawley Borough Council investigators.

Allen still claimed that she and her husband were living apart and had been since 2009, but she was charged with three counts of benefit fraud and found guilty by a jury at Hove Crown Court, despite having pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Allen will have to repay Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit overpayments to Crawley Borough Council, as well as Income Support overpayments to the DWP.

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

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

• Bedroom tax fraud
• Blue Badge fraud
• Child tax credits fraud
• Council tax fraud
• Housing Benefit fraud
• Income Support fraud
• Jobseeker’s Allowance fraud
• Pension credits fraud
• Universal Credit fraud
• Working tax credits fraud.

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors have offices nationwide and are also a leading provider of Legal Aid services.

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