Council success in benefit fraud case

A 44-year-old Shrewsbury woman was given a community order by Shrewsbury magistrates after falsely claiming more than £3,000 in housing and council tax benefit.

Sara Louise McCreary, of Wingfield Close, Ditherington, appeared at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court charged with benefit fraud on Friday 18 March 2011.

She pleaded guilty to failing to notify Shropshire Council that she had a second job.  As a result she falsely obtained £3,105.28 housing and council tax benefit.

Magistrates ordered McCreary to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and to pay £50 costs, in addition to paying back the money she falsely claimed.

The case was investigated by Shropshire Council’s benefit investigation team and the prosecution was brought by Shropshire Council’s legal services.

Council Leader, Keith Barrow, who is also Cabinet member for resources and finance, said:

“The council takes benefit fraud very seriously and will take appropriate action against those who try and defraud the benefits system which exists to help those in need.”

Shropshire Council encourages people to contact the Fraud Hotline on 0345 678 9033 or the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 328 6340, if they have any suspicions about benefit fraud being committed.