Benefit cheat must pay back money

8:57am Sunday 18th May 2008

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A BENEFIT cheat who stole almost £8,000 from the council has received a community order and been told to pay back the money.

Jenny Bignell, aged 26, of St Mary's Road in Penketh, falsely claimed housing benefit of £6,572 and council tax benefit of £1,344,totalling £7,916, between February 2004 and November 2005.

She was found guilty following a trial at Warrington Magistrates Court on May 7.

Bignell was sentenced to a 150 hours community punishment order and ordered to pay £350 costs after failing to tell officials she was living with her partner.

Adrian Webster, the council's benefits manager, said: "There are no ifs, no buts when it comes to benefit fraud.

"Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing.

"That's why we are targeting benefit thieves.

"This case is yet another clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit fraud."

To report benefit fraud call 0800 854440.