£16k Wednesfield benefits cheat mother had two jobs
A benefit cheat who admitted pocketing more than £16,000 in benefits had two part-time jobs and had received handouts from charity, a court heard.
Samantha Myatt pleaded guilty to nine offences, which related to the claims of housing and council tax benefit.
The 39-year-old mother, from Linthouse Lane, Wednesfield, first claimed in 2004 when she said she was a single non-working parent who looked after her disabled child.
In January 2005 she told the authorities her partner had moved in, but failed to say he was claiming an occupational pension.
Ms Jacky Bramley, prosecuting at Wolverhampton Magistartes Court, said that in January 2006, Myatt gained employment at Coppice School, but failed to tell the authorities, and in September 2006 she got a second part-time job at Gala Bingo.
Review
Ms Bramley said: "On March 29, 2007 the benefits adviser carried out a review at her home, and she again failed to declare her part-time job."
The net income of the household, including the two jobs, and partner's pension was £2,300.
The court heard that in October 2008 Myatt contacted the benefits agency to say he had moved out, and she again said she was single with no job, and in May 2009 she made the same claim.
On four further occasions, the last in July 2012, she failed to fully disclose her position. The court heard it was an anonymous tip-off that alerted them to the false claims.
Ms Bramley said Myatt's bank account details showed that since June 2008 there had been six cash withdrawals from abroad over three years, suggesting she had been on holiday.
They also found in Myatt's account two deposits of £100 each in December 2007 and October 2011 from the charity Family Fund.
Myatt will be sentenced on October 17.
