South Gloucestershire Council is warning of the consequences of fraudulently claiming benefits after a woman was jailed for 10 months at Bristol Crown Court on July 19th 2011 for dishonestly claiming more than £62,000.
Clare Louise Evans, aged 32 of Brookside, Pill, near Bristol, pleaded guilty to ten charges under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 at an earlier hearing.
Evans had made a number of false statements about her income and had claimed Housing and Council Tax Benefit from the council, and Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over a five year period.
However, an investigation revealed she was receiving a substantial income working as a model.
Cllr James Hunt, executive member for communities, said: "This case sends out a clear message that South Gloucestershire Council does not tolerate benefit cheats and anyone thinking about doing so should think again."
Senior fraud officer for South Gloucestershire Council, Steve Downton, added: “Benefits are provided to help the most vulnerable in society, and anyone abusing that system risks a hefty fine or a prison sentence, as in this case.
“We acted on information received, including some supplied by a council official that an upmarket vehicle was regularly seen at Evans’ address. We then contacted DWP and gathered evidence resulting in this court case.
“The clear message to fraudsters is that we will find them out, we do talk to other agencies such as the DWP and police, and we will prosecute.”
Evans was charged with ten counts under Section 111 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. She pleaded guilty at a hearing in North Avon Magistrates Court on 21 June 2011.
Overpayments were: £24819.84 for Income Support/Jobseekers Allowance for the period 22 December 2004 to 11 January 2010; £33548.78 Housing Benefit for the period 27 December 2004 to 17 January 2010 and £4378.72 Council Tax Benefit for the period 27 December 2004 to 17 January 2010.
Arrangements are under way to recover the overpaid benefit
If you would like to report benefit fraud in confidence, please contact the council’s freephone fraud hotline on 08000 737377 (through voice call or text) or report on-line by clicking on the "Benefit fraud" link