Windsor benefit cheat given 180 hours community service

A Windsor woman who raked in almost £14,000 in false benefit claims has been ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work over the next year.

At East Berkshire Magistrates' Court Maidenhead on 7 January Mrs Emma-Louise Chapman (also known as Emma Weaver), 26, of 55 Hanover Way, pleaded guilty to three offences of dishonestly failing to give prompt notification of a change in circumstances. These were offences under Section 111A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

At East Berkshire Magistrates' Court Slough on Wednesday 9 February Mrs Chapman was sentenced to the community service and ordered to pay compensation of £11,202.24.

This case arose as a result of a Radian Housing referral, which suggested that Mrs Chapman was living with an undeclared partner while claiming housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support.

Between 10 November 2008 and 16 August 2010 Mrs Chapman received overpayments of £6,627.22 in housing benefit and £1,202.24 in council tax benefit. Between 4 November 2008 and 16 August 2010 she received £5,917.00 in income support - a total of £13,746.46.

Cllr Richard Kellaway, lead member for finance, said: "The Royal Borough and its partner organisations work closely together to fight benefit fraud.

"We also invite members of the public to contact us if they suspect benefit fraud. I would strongly advise anyone who has received overpayments to 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 is on 0500 353300.

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