£7,000 paid to benefits cheats

Two benefits cheats were overpaid a total of more than £7,000 by claiming they lived alone when in fact they were both married and lived with their husbands, a court heard.

Jacqueline Harris was paid £3,602.10 in income support and council tax benefit between June, 2009, and June, 2010, Walsall Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

The 45-year-old failed to notify Walsall Council that she was living with her husband Paul James, resulting in her being paid £2,830.46 in income support between June, 2009 and June, 2010.

Harris, of Fountains Road, Mossley, in Walsall, claimed £771.64 in council tax benefit between June 15, 2009 and June 15, 2010. She pleaded guilty to both charges.

Mr Nayan Patel, prosecuting, said: "It was an overpayment of income tax and council tax benefit.

"She indicated she was a single person however evidence came to light that she was living with her partner. There are no previous convictions against her. She has started to repay the amount."

Harris, who works as a carer, apologised adding that she had not made a benefit claim since June. Magistrates ordered her to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and to pay £100 costs.

Vicky Morris, aged 31, of Clarkes Avenue, Hednesford, also appeared at Walsall Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Morris, previously of Conway Close, Walsall, pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming £3,899.21 in income support, housing and council tax benefits after failing to notify Walsall Council that she was living with her husband Mark Morris.

She falsely claimed £1,383.30 in income support and £2,515.91 in housing and council tax benefits between September, 2009, and December, 2009. Mr Patel said she had initially made a legitimate claim.

Morris, who was judged unfit to carry out unpaid work because of being pregnant, was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 costs.