Benefit fraudster sentenced

Wychavon District Council has secured more success in court, this time with a successful joint prosecution with the Department for Work and Pensions for benefit fraud.

From January 2008, Miss Alaina Halford, aged 47, (14 October 1964) currently living at Hill Croome, Strensham, claimed Income Support and later income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, in relation to a property she rents in Strensham.

As a result of the joint investigation, if was found that Miss Halford had not disclosed an additional bank account. An examination of her bank accounts showed that between January 2008 and April 2010 there were unexplained credits paid into her bank accounts totalling more than £20,000, mainly to the undisclosed account. When she was interviewed about this matter, Miss Halford admitted that she had failed to disclose the bank account, or the monies paid into it. She said that these were predominantly from an ex-partner to pay for her training as a yoga teacher.

This resulted in total overpayments of £14,186.64 in Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance and a total of £3,837.02 in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. She had appealed against her Income Support overpayment to the Tribunal Service. However, her appeal was disallowed.

The case was heard at Worcester Magistrates Court on 8 February 2012, where Miss Halford pleaded guilty. She was sentenced on 16 February 2012 where she received the sentence of a Community Service Order, with orders to perform 200 hours of unpaid work. The Prosecutors for the DWP were awarded costs of £100.

Miss Halford will also have to fully repay all the benefits to which she was not entitled. 

Nick Jefferies Head of Shared Services said, “Miss Halford had failed to give prompt notification of changes in her circumstances which she had a duty to report. The Council has a duty to protect public funds and considers benefit fraud to be a serious matter’.”

If you are claiming Housing or Council Tax Benefits and are unsure as to whether or not you are still entitled to receive them, contact Wychavon District Council on 01905 822744 for advice.