Dronfield benefits cheat spared jail

Amanda Jane Moore, 57, of Stonelow Road, pleaded guilty to three charges of dishonestly making false statements to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for Employment Support Allowance and to North East Derbyshire District Council for Council Tax and for Housing Benefit, from March and July 2011 onwards, at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, April 14.

The court heard that at the time of the claims, Moore had £28,500 in capital.

Becky Allsop, prosecuting, said: “As a result of that, she was interviewed by the department and she admitted that she had capital that exceeded the limit for making a claim.

“At first she said that she could not remember making the claim and then said that the capital was not used and was going to be put aside for her children and pay for her funeral.

“She is a lady of previous good character.”

Moore was sentenced to a five-month community order, including a curfew. She was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.