Benefits cheat had £60k saved in bank
A benefits cheat kept secret a string a bank accounts containing tens of thousands of pounds, a court heard.
Lynne Talbot, from Hednesford, illicitly claimed just under £20,000 in income support, housing benefit and council tax relief after falsely stating she only had £100 in savings.
Her deceit went on for six years before the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) were able to identify her undeclared funds, Stafford Crown Court heard yesterday.
Mr Ben Close, prosecuting, said Talbot had access to seven bank accounts which, although balances varied, had an estimated total of £60,000 in them.
They included a savings account containing £30,000 which produced thousands of pounds worth of interest for Talbot.
Talbot, aged 59, of Brindley Road, admitted two charges of failing to declare her capital. She was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years because of her 'age and health'.
Recorder Mr Mark Wall QC said: "I have no doubt you are a thoroughly dishonest woman.
"You have taken out of the system more than £19,000 which ought to have been directed towards people who deserve it."
Along with the suspended sentence, the judge ordered Talbot to pay back a total of £19,902 to the DWP.
Mr Rob Perry, defending, said Talbot had a number of medical problems and was currently disability allowance.
