Carlisle resident found guilty of benefit fraud

A Carlisle resident who fraudulently claimed more than £1,200 in Housing and Council Tax Benefits has been given an eight-week curfew order and has been ordered to pay £150 court costs.

Christine Neaves, 41, formerly of Tait Street, Carlisle, failed to notify Carlisle City Council that she had been awarded £171 per week in Tax Credits. She was found guilty at a trial at Carlisle’s Magistrates Courts yesterday (Monday, 26 November) for failing to notify a change of circumstances which she knew affected her entitlement to Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

Clare Liddle, prosecuting on behalf of Carlisle City Council, said that Mrs Neaves had failed to notify Carlisle City Council that Tax Credits had been awarded despite the fact that this almost trebled her weekly income. She added that Carlisle City Council only became aware of the award of Tax Credits when advised by The Housing Benefit Matching Service of The Department for Work and Pension. Mrs Neaves claimed £1267.58 in Housing and Council Tax Benefits she was not entitled to.

Mrs Neaves pleaded not guilty and said that she had notified the Council, though neither she nor the Council had any evidence to support this.

In addition to the eight-week curfew order and £150 court costs, she also has to pay back the benefits she has received fraudulently.