Falsely Claiming Benefits

A LLANGENNECH woman has been prosecuted for falsely claiming benefits.

Janie Ray Pearce, of Nantygro, Llangennech, claimed Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit from 2000, also claiming State Retirement Pension and Disability Living Allowance and previously claiming Pension Credit.

She pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates Court to the offence. The case was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The court was told that Mrs Pearce failed to declare that she inherited a property from her late mother-in-law, in Meaden Hill, Headington, Oxfordshire, in May 2004.

When interviewed Mrs Pearce admitted that she had made declarations that she would declare any changes in her circumstances and confirmed that she was the legal owner of the property in Meaden Hill.

Despite completing three review forms after inheriting the property, Mrs Pearce maintained on these that she did not own any property. She was overpaid £23,178.28 in housing benefit and £4,912.13 in council tax benefit.

She was given a 24 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £388.44.

Council executive board member for resources Cllr Jeff Edmunds said: “The council is keen that people who are entitled to Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit claim what they are rightfully entitled to.

“But we are also determined to crack down on fraudulent claims. These offences take money from the public purse that could otherwise be used for funding essential services. It is taking money from every council tax payer.”

Members of the public can report any suspicion of benefit fraud in the county via the Carmarthenshire County Council Fraud Hotline 0800 – 801116 or via the council website.