A WOMAN who fraudulently claimed more than £3,000 in housing benefit has appeared in court.
Maqsood Bi, 34, appeared before Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with failing to declare a change of circumstances whilst claiming housing and council tax benefit.
The court heard how Ms Bi had completed a claim form in September 2008, but a year later she failed to notify Kirklees Council that her husband had moved back into the family home at Brownroyd Avenue in Rawthorpe.
Ms Bi, who followed proceedings in court by way of an interpreter, failed to notify the authorities which resulted in her receiving £3,628.63 for which she was not entitled.
Defending his client, Mr Marnat Ali told the court how she spoke no English and had been instructed by interpreters to complete the forms.
He added: “It was an oversight on her part.”
Magistrates handed the defendant a conditional discharge for 12 months.
She was also ordered to pay back the remainder of the benefits and ordered to pay £350 costs.
