Benefits cheat is fined
A WOMAN has been fined after pleading guilty to illegally claiming £1,848 in benefits.
Hayley Matthews of Wingfield Avenue, Maulden was ordered to pay £265 in fines, legal costs and surcharges after an investigation by Central Bedfordshire Council and the Department of Work and Pensions.
This uncovered she had falsely claimed £593 in housing benefit, £168 in council tax benefit and £1,086 in state benefits.
The 35-year-old will also have to pay back the benefits overpayments in full.
Councillor Maurice Jones, executive member for corporate resources at Central Beds, said: “Benefit cheats take money away from those people who really need it.
“This investigation clearly shows Central Bedfordshire Council and other agencies will not tolerate abuse of the benefits system and will take action against those who make a fraudulent claim.
“As well as facing penalties, fraudsters face a criminal record if convicted. While we take a hard line on benefit fraud benefits, help is always available for people who are genuinely entitled to receive financial aid.”
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
