Curfew and tag for Cox Green benefit cheat

A Maidenhead woman has had a curfew imposed and been electronically tagged for cheating council taxpayers out of almost £20,000.

The case against Elizabeth Deakin, of Wessex Way, Cox Green, arose as a result of a government agency data matching exercise that showed she had failed to declare that a member of her household was living with her while she continued to claim housing and council tax benefit as a single person.

At Reading Crown Court on 14 July Ms Deakin pleaded guilty to two offences, under Section 112 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, of making a false statement to the Royal Borough.

Between 22 January 2001 and 1 June 2009 Ms Deakin received £19,760.79 in overpayments in housing and council tax benefit.

On Friday 24 September at Slough Magistrates Court she was given a curfew order that requires her to stay in her home from 8pm to 7am and to wear an electronic tag for eight weeks. She was also ordered to pay £250 towards costs.

Cllr Richard Kellaway, lead member for finance, said: "The borough has instigated a number of successful prosecutions against benefit cheats who have received custodial sentences, suspended sentences, community service orders, substantial fines and, in this case, curfew and tagging.

"I would advise benefit cheats to think twice as the council actively works to stamp out benefit fraud and recover the money stolen from council taxpayers.

"Anyone who has received overpayments should contact us as soon as possible so that the issue can be resolved."

The council's confidential and free Beat the Cheat line for reporting suspected benefit fraud incidents is on 0500 353300.

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