Two people, two crimes, one outcome - guilty!

Two women from Creswell who dishonestly claimed over £13,000 in benefits have been successfully prosecuted by Bolsover District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Following two separate joint investigations, Joanne Law (26) of Victoria Street, Creswell and Lisa Russon (29) of Model Village, Creswell, both appeared at Worksop Magistrates Court on 18th January 2012 and both pleaded guilty to claiming Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support as single persons whilst they were actually living with employed partners.
 
Miss Law and Miss Russon received benefits totaling £13,100 between different dates in 2010 through to June 2011 to which they were not entitled. They were convicted under Section 112 of The Social Security Administration Act 1992.
 
Miss Law was fined £100 and Miss Russon £70 and both were ordered to pay costs of £100 and victim surcharges of £15.  Both Miss Law and Miss Russon also have to repay the benefits they dishonestly claimed.

Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, Councillor Duncan McGregor said, “This money could be going to a family or person in real need, but again this is another case of people claiming benefits to which they are not entitled and thinking they are above the law. Well they are not and we take issues such as this extremely seriously and will do everything in our power to catch and prosecute anyone falsely claiming benefits.”

If you know of anyone who you suspect is committing benefit fraud, then please contact the Council, on 01246 242444 or email fraud@bolsover.gov.uk

Date issued: 23rd January 2012

Last Updated on Monday, 23 January 2012 10:17