Wolverhampton benefits cheat who falsely claimed £77,000 spared jail

Anita Wright, aged 46, of Hammond Avenue, Low Hill, Wolverhampton, lied to authorities for seven years about living alone despite her husband, who she had previously split from, moving back in with her.

The pair had also gone on holiday together in the period between 2005 and 2013. Wright's husband John also wrote on employment records that he lived at her home address.

At Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court, the mother was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months after admitting four counts of fraud.

Wright was also placed under supervision for six months, but was deemed too unfit for unpaid work.

She is currently paying back the £77,311 she pocketed in claims, including overpaid housing benefit and income support.

She has avoided having to contribute toward the £4,125 in court costs, accumulated in the legal case against her because it was felt it would put additional 'strain' on her finances.

Addressing Wright, Recorder Richard Benson QC said: "I have anguished about this case, you did bring this on yourself and racked up a large amount of costs over £4,000 by failing to put your hands up about something you knew perfectly well you committed.

"But I am not going to add that to the burden because of the possibility it will incubate problems for the future."

An investigation was launched into Wright's claims in 2012 and surveillance of her husband's movements showed him leaving her home for work.

Wolverhampton City Council wrote to the fraudster about the matter, which prompted her to call the authority and explain her husband had 'just moved back in', the court heard.

In reality Mr Wright had returned to the family seven years earlier.

She was prosecuted but it was only on the day of her trial on March 17 that she admitted to her crimes and pleaded guilty to committing fraud.

Wright claimed her husband moved back in to help with family problems.

Recorder Benson said: "You knew perfectly well what you were doing was wrong but you tried to wriggle out of it when the investigation started and you effectively were dishonest about the fact your husband was living with you at the premises.

"You made it look as if the period he lived there was much less than it was in reality."

He added: "I do take into account you had family difficulties but it does not excuse your dishonesty."

A spokesman for Wolverhampton City Council said: "The sentence which has been handed down sends out a strong message that the city council operates a zero tolerance policy on fraud and corruption and takes all allegations of fraudulent activity made to us extremely seriously.

"We won't hesitate to take action if we suspect fraud has been committed against the council – and, as a result, taxpayers – and we will make every effort to recover all monies stolen from the council."