SUSPENDED JAIL SENTENCE OVER BENEFIT FRAUD

A Ramsgate woman has been given a suspended prison sentence, after pleading guilty to benefit fraud.

Joanne Adie (31), of West Dumpton Lane had been in receipt of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support on the basis that she was a single person. In her applications for benefit, she failed to declare that her husband had actually been living with her for three years.

In an interview, under caution, she denied that her husband was living with her. When first interviewed, her husband also denied living with Adie and said he spent time at his mother's. He was interviewed for a second time, once further enquiries had been made, and he admitted that he had actually been living with his wife for three years.

As a result of this, Adie was overpaid £17,292.87 in Housing Benefits, £2,343.74 in Council Tax Benefits and £6,777.12 in Income Support.

She pleaded guilty at Margate Magistrates to all charges and was sent to Canterbury Crown Court for sentencing, due to the size of the overpayment. She was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, 250 hours of unpaid work and a 12 month supervision order.

Judge Van Der Bijl, who sentenced Adie, said: "The punishment has to be a deterrent to others. This is a serious matter and cannot just be washed away. The taxpayers, that's me, builders and plumbers, have to pay for this."

To notify the council of a change in your circumstances, you can contact the council on 01843 577000. To report benefit fraud, call 01843 577369.