Benefit cheat had more than £100,000 in her bank

Margaret Sastawnyuk, 77, pleaded guilty to claiming thousands of pounds in benefits when she had more than £100,000 in her bank account. After pleading guilty Margaret received an 18 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Sastawnyuk, of Brewster Street Middleton, claimed more than £23,000 in pension and council tax benefits over a seven year period after she failed to declare her pension and financial assets. In total she claimed £6,993 in council tax benefits and £16,262 in pension credits totaling £23,255.

She appeared at Bury Magistrates Court on Friday 17 January and pleaded guilty to two charges under the Social Security Administration Act and one under the Fraud Act.

During the trial, some bank statements showed that Sastawnyuk had more than £100,000 in her bank account whilst she was claming benefits.

In May and November of 2005, Sastawnyuk gave false details on a pension credit application form to get pension credits. Whilst doing this she failed to declare assets above the £16,000 limit.

Between April 2005 and November 2012, Sastawnyuk also failed to declare to Rochdale Council that she was in receipt of a pension from St Andrew's Life.

Rochdale Council, which began the investigation after they received a tip off from a member of the public, were awarded costs of £2,000.

Sastawnyuk was also ordered to pay £509.60 in investigation costs. These have to be paid within seven days.

A spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council said: “This is a clear cut case of benefit fraud. We are very pleased with the outcome of our investigation and successful prosecution.”