Bordon woman admits benefit fraud

A Bordon woman was given a four months prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and pay costs of £100 on 28th November, after admitting she had failed to declare a change of circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions and had falsely received over £15,000 Income Support.

Sandra Fox (32) of Church Fields, Headley, Bordon had claimed £62.73 Income Support between October and November 2003 and a further £15,124.14 from December 2003 to March 2006, amounting to a total of £15,186.87.

As Fox was a married woman and living with her husband she was not entitled to receive this benefit, Aldershot Magistrates Court heard.

Fox admitted one charge of failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances, namely she was married and living together with her husband David Ruffle. She has married David Ruffle on 20 December 2003.

The magistrates were satisfied that this was a serious case involving a large sum of money, over a long period that warranted a prison sentence. After taking into account that Fox had entered an early guilty plea, she was now working and she had 2 children, the sentence was reduced from 6 months to 4 months.

Anti-fraud Minister James Plaskitt said: "Benefit cheats take money intended for the most vulnerable in our society. The public rightly get angry about such antisocial behaviour and with their support we will track down the fraudsters. If you suspect fraud, call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. Your calls will be treated in total confidence."