Michaela Worrall sentenced for tax credits fraud

Michaela Worrall, 44, of King Street, Heywood has been sentenced for tax credits fraud, after an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

At Manchester Crown Court yesterday (1 July), Worrall was sentenced to four months jail suspended for two years, 300 hours unpaid community work and ten guidance sessions. She pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud involving £42,414.87 at a previous hearing in June 2013.

Worrall abused her position of trust with HMRC by making false claims for tax credits. She dishonestly inflated her childcare costs for five years, resulting in an overpayment of £42,414.

Ian Horridge, senior manager for HMRC said: “Only a small minority of our staff compromise the integrity that HMRC and the public expect of them, and as a customer advisor, Worrall was well aware of her responsibilities as a tax credit claimant.

“Following routine checks in 2011, concerns were raised about her claims for childcare costs. Investigations into previous years proved she had inflated the true charges of five childcare providers in order to increase the money she received.

“We take strong action against those who fall short of our standards and won’t tolerate this behaviour, which is why Worrall has found herself in court today.”