Three Swansea Benefit Fraudsters Prosecuted

Three Swansea benefit fraudsters have been successfully prosecuted for claiming almost £33,000 from the public purse they were not entitled to.

Investigations by Swansea Council’s Benefits Investigation Team saw Karen Rix aged 51 of Rosewood Court, Penlan, Amy Norman aged 32 of Heol Will George, Waunarlwydd, and Jacqueline Owen aged 43 of Smyrna Street, Plasmarl plead guilty to benefit fraud offences in respect of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Council Tax Reduction at Swansea Magistrates Court on Wednesday (25 February).

David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing explained how the process works:

“Benefits are designed to help people who are financially vulnerable and really need the support. Cheating the system not only rips off the taxpayer but undermines a support system designed to protect the more vulnerable people in society.”

“The Investigation Team constantly have potential cases flagged up to them. This could be for example by an anonymous tip off about a partner living at the address or undeclared earnings.”

“The team can uncover unlawful overpayments in various ways once someone is under investigation.”

Karen Rix pleaded guilty to benefit fraud amounting to £12,467.67. She was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months. A 6 week curfew was also imposed.

Amy Norman pleaded guilty to benefit fraud amounting to £4,991.28. She was sentenced to a community order for 6 weeks and a curfew for 6 weeks.

Jacqueline Owen pleaded guilty to benefit fraud amounting to £15,523.00.  She was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months and 180 hours unpaid work.

The Council’s Recovery Teams are working hard to ensure that those who have been punished repay their illegally-obtained benefits along with any sentences handed down by the courts.

Suspicions of benefit fraud can be reported in confidence online at https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/benefitfraud or by calling the National Benefit Fraud hotline on 0800 854 440