Woman guilty of benefit fraud
A 39-YEAR-old woman will complete 100 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to stealing more than £2,000 of tax payers’ money.
Louanne Tranter, of Hall Lane, Whitwick, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 7, after North West Leicestershire District Council alleged she had claimed £2,205.38 in benefits that were not owed to her.
Tranter confessed that since April 1, 2013, she had been claiming benefits based on being a single person, when in fact her ‘ex-husband’ was still living with her.
In her defence, Tranter stated the original claim had been genuine and that her relationship with the man had been on/off. However, magistrates concluded that the fraud involved significant planning and that there were aggravating features in the case.
Tranter was handed 100 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £700 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
The district council will also reclaim the £2,205 of benefits that were claimed illegally.
Coun Nick Rushton, corporate portfolio holder at the district council, said: “This case sends out a clear message that it is not acceptable to simply keep claiming tax payers’ money when your circumstances change.
“The district council will fight in court when necessary to expose cases of fraud and reclaim money that can now be redirected to where there is a real need for it.
“If residents in the district are unsure about the benefits they claim or when they should notify the council of changes in circumstance, visit www.nwleics.gov.uk/ fraud_investigation or call us on 01530 454551.”
A change in circumstance can also be reported online by visiting www. nwleics.gov.uk/change_of_circumstances