Benefit fraudster sentenced

Alison Minto, 29, of Glenavon Drive, Rochdale, who claimed nearly £7,000 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support benefit as a single parent while living with a partner who worked full time, was sentenced to a 12 month community order, 200 hours’ unpaid work, £500 costs and ordered to repay the fraudulently claimed benefits.

During sentencing at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates Court, Minto was warned of the seriousness of her offence, adding that any similar transgression by her in the future would inevitably result in a custodial sentence.

Councillor Farooq Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Finance at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It saddens me that a Rochdale resident would seek to take advantage of a system designed to help people get back on their feet and into work.

“This is something we are determined to eliminate and I’m very pleased with the work our Fraud and Legal Teams have done in bringing this individual to justice.”