Date: 27/01/2010
A High Peak woman fraudulently claimed more than £6,300 in benefits after she failed to tell the authorities she had been reunited with her estranged husband.
Marilyn Braidwood, aged 45, of Buxton Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith pleaded guilty before Buxton Magistrates on Friday 22 January to five charges of benefit fraud.
The court heard that she had failed to notify High Peak Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when estranged husband David, a full-time bus driver, moved back in with her on Sunday 13 April 2008.
As a result, she was overpaid Housing Benefit of £3,046.40, Council Tax Benefit of £1,085.02 and Income Support of £2,240.22.
Magistrates adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports. Braidwood is already repaying the money she owes, and will also have costs to pay.
Said Emily Thrane, Executive Councillor for Corporate Services: "This case is the latest in a series of successful prosecutions we have brought with the DWP against people who have obtained benefits fraudulently.
"We won't tolerate cheats whose dishonesty leaves less money for those in genuine need", she warned.
Anyone who suspects a case of benefit fraud should call the council's fraud hotline on (01298) 28433. Callers do not need to leave their name.