Benefit cheat sentenced (From Warrington Guardian)

Benefit cheat sentenced

A BENEFIT cheat, who falsely claimed more than £30,000 in benefits has been given a prison sentence.

But Lindsey Cunliffe's sentence of 12 months has been suspended by Warrington Crown Court after a hearing on Friday.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of benefit fraud after being prosecuted by Warrington Borough Council and the department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The Whitecross Road resident claimed the benefits as a lone parent when she was in fact living with her partner.

Between August 1999 and November 2003, she defrauded the council of £1,066.05 council tax benefit, £8,108.45 housing benefit and defrauded the DWP of £21,210.30 Income Support, a total of £30,384.80.

If she re-offends in the next two years she will be sent to prison for 12 months.

l People in Warrington can give information about alleged fraudsters free and in confidence on the National Benefit Fraud Hotline 0800 854 440.