A joint investigation between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Gosport Borough Council has resulted in Amanda West, (formerly Green) (33) of Carless Close, Gosport, appearing at Fareham Magistrates Court charged with 3 offences under the Social Security Administration Act 1992.
West, pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to promptly notify Gosport Council and the DWP that she was working and that she had, on 25 June 2005, married Darren West, changes which affected her entitlement to the Housing Benefit, Income Support and Incapacity Benefit claimed.
Continuing to claim benefit she was not entitled to and her failure to report her changes resulted in her receiving a total overpayment of benefits of over £14,000.
Magistrates told West that in view of the severity of her actions they had considered a custodial sentence, but as she had entered a guilty plea early in the proceedings they had decided not to send her to prison. Instead West was awarded a 12 month Community Order with supervision requirements, 72 hours of unpaid work and a 12 week curfew. She must also pay back in full to the DWP and the Council the overpayment received.
A monitoring unit will be installed in her property and West will be required to wear a tag for the curfew which will run from 8pm to 7am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
If you believe you know someone is receiving benefit to which they are not entitled, do the right thing. Call the 24-hour Benefit Investigation Hotline
Tel: 023 92 545 545. All information received
