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Fraudsterordered to repay £2,000

Published on 12th October 2006 in News

A Gilberdyke woman has been sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge after she admitted dishonestly claiming more than £2,000 in housing and council tax benefits.

Tracey Cook (39), of Victoria Drive, appeared at Beverley Magistrates' Court last week and pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to give a prompt notification of a change in her circumstances.

She was ordered to pay £100 towards the council's costs and to pay back the £2,020.62 she had fraudulently received in benefits.

Ms Cook had declared she was receiving income support. However, East Riding of Yorkshire Council investigators discovered she had been working since September, 2004 and income support had in fact not been awarded.

Andy Hardy, fraud investigation manager, said: "The council and the Department for Work and Pensions are intensifying their efforts to crack down on benefit fraud.

"Anyone who is found to be working whilst fraudulently claiming benefit will be prosecuted.

"My message to the honest residents of the East Riding is: don't let them get away with it."

Anyone who suspects benefit fraud in the East Riding can call the 24-hour benefit fraud hotline in confidence on 01482 394949, text 07786 200850 or email bfraud@eastriding.gov.uk

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