Magistrates have found a Bury St Edmunds woman guilty of benefits fraud. Sandra Barton, who pleaded guilty, was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £150 contribution to costs.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council brought the prosecution against Mrs Barton, (born 13/11/1958) of St Olaves Road, Bury St Edmunds, at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court on Friday 26 September. The charge was that between 02/10/06 and 28/08/07 she dishonestly failed to notify a change of circumstances, with a view to obtaining benefit or other payment or advantage under social security legislation, contrary to Section 111A(1)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 as inserted by Section 16 of the Social Security Administration Act 1997.
On 02/10/06, whilst in receipt of housing and council tax benefits, Mrs Barton commenced employment as a Taxi Controller with a local company and failed to inform the council’s Benefits Section that she had started work.
On 15/11/06 Mrs Barton made a statement to the Benefits Section regarding her partner’s income but did not mention her own work.
On 29/08/07 Mrs Barton was interviewed under caution by Benefit Fraud Investigators and admitted the work in question. Mrs Barton stated that she didn't declare the work because she was under a great deal of stress caring for her elderly parents.
As a result of Mrs Barton’s failure to declare her work there have been overpayments of £1514.56 Housing Benefit and £1075.50 Council Tax Benefit, which she will have to repay in full.
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Issued By Sally Easton, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Phone: 01284 757046 email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
