A woman claimed thousands of pounds in child tax credit she was not entitled to because her child was no longer with her.
Leeds Crown Court heard today Maria Hanley began claiming income support in 2008 when she was pregnant and not working and then as a single parent after giving birth she also claimed child tax credit.
But a year later in 2009 after her child went to foster parents she continued to be paid the benefits as a single parent, Robert Stevenson prosecuting told the court.
She failed to notify her change in circumstances and by the time the truth was discovered in 2013 she had been overpaid a total of £25,121 of which £12,486 was income support and £12,634 in child tax credit.
Charles Blatchford representing her told the court she applied legitimately for the benefits but then had gone through a very difficult time with a former partner which impacted on her both physically and emotionally.
Then when the child left the family she had difficulties coping and there was a misunderstanding of what her rights and entitlements were.
She was now working part-time as a cleaner and hoping to repay the money in the future.
Hanley, 26 of Belgrave Terrace, Highfields, near Huddersfield town centre, admitted failing to notify a change in circumstances and being knowingly concerned in fraudulent activity. She was given a 12 month community order with a medium level activity requirement and 60 hours unpaid work.
Recorder Adrian Waterman QC told her although the guidelines indicated a prison sentence it was likely only to be short and in the particular circumstances of her case it was better for her and society if she could continue to work.
Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news.
Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here
To follow us on Twitter click here
