Gemma Schofield prosecuted for £22k benefit fraud

Gemma Schofield has received a suspended sentence and will have to pay back over £22,000 after being found guilty of falsely claiming benefits for four years.

Bury and Rochdale Magistrates’ Court heard how Schofield, 32, of Middleton, failed to declare a change in her circumstances and continued to claim as a single parent to secure income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit and council tax support between February 2010 and March 2014.

A joint investigation by Rochdale Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uncovered the fraud, following an anonymous tip-off that Mrs Schofield was living with her partner, who was working full time.

It was later discovered that she had been claiming as a single parent under her maiden name but had been living with her former partner whom she had married in February 2010.

Schofield pleaded guilty to four charges of failure to declare a change in her circumstances. On 10 March she was sentenced to eight weeks’ custody, suspended for 12 months. In addition, she will have to pay back the £22,323.01 fraudulent overpayment plus £1,080 in costs and charges.

Councillor Allen Brett, Rochdale Borough Council Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “The severe consequences in this case truly reflect the seriousness of the crime. I hope that this sends the message that we take benefit fraud very seriously and it will not be tolerated.”