Suspended sentence for Manchester woman found guilty of £21,000 benefit fraud » Housing » 24dash.com

A woman has been convicted of dishonestly obtaining housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support amounting to £21,172.45.

Helen Hardie, 42, of Haveley Road, Wythenshawe, pleaded guilty to failing to disclose that her partner had moved in with her.

As a result she had obtained housing and council tax benefit from Manchester City Council and income support from the Department for Work and Pensions between April 2002 and April 2007, that she was not entitled to.

Hardie was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court and given a nine month custodial sentence, suspended for one year together with a nine month curfew order to be served between 9pm and 8am. She was also ordered to pay costs of £500.

The offences were uncovered as part of a joint initiative between the Council's Counter Fraud Officers and officers from the Department for Work and Pensions following an anonymous tip off.

Councillor Bernard Priest, Executive Member for Finance for Manchester City Council, says: "This woman has been stealing from the people of Manchester and I am pleased that council staff uncovered the deception.

"The message is clear to these people, we will find out and we will prosecute."

Richard Paver, City Treasurer, says: "The whole community suffers when individuals commit a crime of this nature. Not only does it reduce the money available to those with a genuine entitlement, but it also increases the burden on the council taxpayer.

"This case demonstrates our determination to ensure that offenders are dealt with using the full force of the law and do not profit from their crime.

"I can assure the residents of Manchester that in addition to the penalties handed down by the courts, we shall use all methods at our disposal to vigorously recover the money this woman dishonestly obtained."

Manchester has a free, confidential Benefit Fraud Hotline, which members of the public can use to report benefit fraud. The number is: 0800 783 9668.