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Benefits cheat is rumbled
A BENEFITS cheat claimed more than £10,000 by failing to inform Barnsley Council her partner was living with her.
Paula Moxon, aged 39, of Cloughfields Road, Hoyland, Barnsley, admitted submitting false claims for housing and council tax benefits.
Barnsley Magistrates' Court heard Moxon was investigated by the council's benefit investigation team for failing to declare her partner Ian Richardson had moved in with her in 2005.
The court heard Mr Richardson had left the couple's home in 2005 after their relationship broke down but he returned shortly after Moxon submitted her claim for benefits as a single person in May 2005.
Moxon claimed she had not declared his return because she didn't understand the benefits system.
She pleaded guilty to two charges of submitting false statements, in November 2007 and in May 2008.
She was fined 100 for each charge and ordered to pay costs of 320 plus a victim surcharge of 15.
Moxon is also paying back all the benefit she has received since 2005 – totalling 10,204.04 – which will take her many years to repay, the court heard.
Coun Alan Gardiner, cabinet spokesman for finance, said: "This sends out a clear message to anyone cheating the benefits system that such abuses will not be tolerated. We want to ensure all those people who are in genuine need receive the benefits to which they are entitled."
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Thursday 23 February 2012
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