Benefit cheat sentenced to 240 hours community service

11:15am Tuesday 21st October 2008

A BENEFIT cheat who defrauded the council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of more than £9,000 has been sentenced to 240 hours community service.

Sharon Bourke, of Broadbent Avenue, in Latchford, was claiming benefits as a single person when she was in fact living with her partner.

“Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing."

Adrian Webster, Warrington Borough Council’s benefits manager

In the 19 months leading up to October 2007, Bourke defrauded the council of £6,004 housing benefit and £810 council tax benefit and the DWP of £2,223 income support.

The 38–year–old admitted benefit fraud at Halton Magistrates’ Court on October 13.

Adrian Webster, Warrington Borough 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.

“We have introduced new methods of data matching – and the obvious message to benefit cheats is you will be caught.”

Bourke was also ordered to pay £100 legal costs.

You can give information about alleged fraudsters free and in confidence on the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440.