Cradley Heath mother spared jail in benefits fraud

A benefits cheat from the Black Country who pocketed almost £55,000 after lying about living with her partner has been spared jail.

Marie O'Mahony claimed income support, council tax benefit and housing benefit on the basis that she was unemployed and living alone. But after an anonymous tip-off to Sandwell Council, investigators found she had been lying and was living with partner Andrew Hollins.

Wolverhampton Crown Curt heard that she fraudulently claimed £23,340.72 in housing and council tax benefit and £31,291.69 in income support from September 2007 until last June.

Recorder Mark Jackson handed her a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

O'Mahony, aged 28, of Coppice Road, Cradley Heath, began claiming benefits in 2003. She failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Sandwell Council that Mr Hollins moved in to her home in September 2007.

Mr Zaheer Afzal, prosecuting, told the court that on numerous occasions after that date O'Mahony was asked to sign forms which stated she was living alone, which she did.

"The council received an anonymous referral that she was living with her partner," Mr Afzal said. "Investigators went to her address and she told them she was living with her children and that the father had nothing to with them.

"A further allegation was received that she was living with her partner.

"An officer attended her address again and the door was answered by Andrew Hollins who described himself as a good friend but he appeared nervous."

O'Mahony admitted in interview that she had been living with Mr Hollins since 2007. Mr Ben Close, defending, said she was repaying the cash at £20 a week.

O'Mahony admitted six charges of benefit fraud. She was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 costs.