£22k benefit crook prosecuted

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Local Government and also in Housing, Legal

A woman who fraudulently claimed £22,324.73 in housing and council tax benefits has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Zoe Yoldanda Grier-Hall told Hambleton District Council she was a lone parent when she was actually living with her partner.

The crooked 37-year-old committed the offences between the years 2005-2010, when she lived in Central Way, Great Ayton. She now lives in Cornwall.

She pleaded guilty to the offences at Teesside Crown Court on March 4 and was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

She was also placed on a 12-month supervision order with the probation service.

The council will seek recovery of the full overpayment through civil procedures.

The council's deputy leader, Councillor Ron Kirk, said: “The council has a duty to its residents to pursue these claims and ensure that the correct housing and council tax benefits are paid."