Wellingborough benefit fraudster caught

Sarah Hobbs (31) of Shelley Road, Wellingborough, claimed income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit but didn't declare that she had a secret bank account with regular monthly wages being paid in. Wellingborough Council launched a joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) after information was received that her husband was working.

Investigations were carried out and it was discovered that Mrs Hobbs had full access to an undisclosed bank account into which her husband's wages were being paid. Mrs Hobbs was interviewed under caution by both council and DWP officers and was later charged to appear at Wellingborough Magistrates Court.

Mrs Hobbs pleaded guilty to two offences - one of failing to declare capital funds to obtain income support and one of failing to declare capital funds to obtain housing and council tax benefit. Last Thursday she appeared at Wellingborough Magistrates Court where she was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment for each offence to run concurrently, suspended for 12 months. Mrs Hobbs was also given a 12 month supervision order, ordered to do 160 hours unpaid work and told to pay £100 in costs.  

Councillor Paul Bell, leader of Wellingborough Council, said: "We take benefit fraud extremely seriously. We have an excellent track record in uncovering fraud and this prosecution should serve as a warning to others who think they can get away with cheating the system. Those who fraudulently claim benefits are putting an additional, unnecessary burden on the taxpayer and we will not tolerate it."

Mrs Hobbs had fraudulently claimed £6,857.50 income support, £7,682.40 housing benefit and £1,357.13 council tax benefit, making the total overpaid £15,897.03. Wellingborough Council will pursue full recovery of the overpayment.