Carlisle resident found guilty of benefit fraud

Carlisle Magistrates’ Court sentenced a 42-year-old Carlisle woman to 100 hours community service on Tuesday, 11 December.

Sallie Ann Richardson of Linton Street, Carlisle pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Housing Benefit section of Carlisle City Council that her adult son had returned to her household despite being aware that this affected her entitlement to Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

The Court heard that Miss Richardson advised the Housing Benefit section that her son had moved to London in April 2007. Enquiries, however, revealed that he had actually commenced work in Carlisle around that time.

Officers from The Benefit Investigation Unit carried out surveillance on Miss Richardson’s home address for a period of three and a half weeks. This surveillance established that her son was in fact resident and had returned to live as a member of Miss Richardson’s household.

As a result of her failure to notify that her son was living in her household Miss Richardson was overpaid Housing and Council Tax Benefit amounting to £535.95. She has to repay this sum.

Carlisle City Council is committed to preventing and detecting benefit fraud. Anyone with information can call the Benefit Investigation Unit on 01228 817209 or visit http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/advice_and_benefits/benefits.aspx where an online report can be made.