Benefit fraud woman is fined

Julie Ann West, 30, who used to live on North Road in the village, failed to tell Bolsover Council that she had left the address in January last year.

West continued to claim housing benefit from the authority up until June 2012 when investigators found she had moved.

She now lives at Middle Hey Place in Sheffield.

Investigators also discovered she had been claiming housing benefit from Sheffield City Council since moving address.

The failure to notify the authorities meant she was over-paid and received more then £2,500 in housing benefit between January and June 2012.

West admitted the offence at North East Derbyshire and Dales Magistrates’ Court.

An arrest warrant had been executed after she failed to attend an earlier court date.

She was convicted under the Social Security Administration Act and ordered to pay back the £2,500 she wrongly claimed.

She was also fined £110 with a victim surcharge of £15 and ordered to pay costs of £100.

“It really does baffle me as to why people think they can get away with taking money that is simply not theirs,” said Bolsover Council’s cabinet member for corporate resources, Coun Duncan McGregor.

“These cases show that no matter how people try to avoid being made to account for their actions, we will still pursue and take appropriate action against anyone committing benefit fraud.”

If you know of anyone who you suspect is committing benefit fraud, then please contact the council on 01246 242444 or email [email protected]