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.
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.
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