Former Alveley woman prosecuted for benefit fraud

A former Alveley woman has appeared before Telford Magistrates charged with benefit fraud. 

Nicola Beasley, 38, formerly of Turley Green and now living near Whitchurch, pleaded guilty on Monday 13 June 2011 to a charge of knowingly failing to notify Shropshire Council that she had vacated her address in Alveley. 

The court heard Beasley had continued to receive payments of housing benefit from Shropshire Council between November 2009 and March 2010, resulting in her receiving £2,383.55 rent allowance which she was not entitled to. 

Beasley was given a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £200 costs.   A compensation order was made for the overpaid benefit. 

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

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

“Housing benefit and council tax benefit are funded by the taxpayer and Shropshire Council has a duty to protect this money. 

“It is important that we take benefit fraud very seriously, and we won’t hesitate to take legal 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.