At Ipswich Crown Court on 3 August 2009 Mrs Debbie Saint (formerly Moriarty) of Braddock Square, Bury St Edmunds, pleaded guilty to the following offences:
Charges:
1. Between 09/08/05 and 04/06/06, knowing that a change in her circumstances, namely by not declaring to the prescribed person that she was in receipt of a monthly income of £340.00, would affect her entitlement to a benefit under any provision of relevant social security legislation, knowingly failed to give a prompt notification of that change to a local authority, namely St Edmundsbury Borough Council in the prescribed manner.
Contrary to Section 112 Social Security Administration Act 1992
2. Between 20/09/05 and 04/06/06, knowing that a change in her circumstances, namely by not declaring to the prescribed person that she owned a property other than for which she was claiming benefit, would affect her entitlement to a benefit under any provision of relevant social security legislation, knowingly failed to give a prompt notification of that change to a local authority, namely St Edmundsbury Borough Council in the prescribed manner.
Contrary to Section 112 Social Security Administration Act 1992
Summary of evidence:
Mrs Saint claimed Council Tax Benefit from her home in Braddock Square, Bury St Edmunds. The alleged offences came to light when a member of the council’s staff noticed from Council Tax records that Mrs Saint had failed to declare that she owned a second property. Using powers under Social Security Legislation, statements for Mrs Saint’s bank accounts were obtained. The bank statements revealed that Mrs Saint had an income of £340.00 per month which had not been declared.
Council Tax Benefit is means tested and claimants are required to declare all income and capital including property.
Sentence:
Conditional discharge for 12 months for both offences to run concurrently. Ordered to pay £527.50 towards prosecution costs.
Ends
Issued by Marianne Hulland, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Phone 01284 757034 Email: marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
