Benefit cheat ordered to carry out unpaid work

A benefit cheat who failed to declare she was living with her partner has pleaded guilty to benefit fraud.

Catherine Griffin, 35, of Andrew Street, Middleton, fraudulently claimed Council Tax Benefit and Income Support to the value of £5,227.14.

A joint investigation between the council’s benefit fraud team and the Department for Works and Pensions found that Mrs Griffin had claimed benefits as a single parent whilst living with her partner who was in full-time work and charges were brought by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Council Tax Benefit offence occurred between 27/2/11 and 22/5/12 while the Income Support offence took place between 27/2/11 and 18/5/12.

Mrs Griffin appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on 5 February 2013 and pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to declare a change in her circumstances under the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

The court ordered her to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months. In addition she will also have to repay the £5,227.14 she defrauded from the council and the Department for Work and Pensions.