Woman, 60, in £26,000 benefit fraud

A 60-YEAR-OLD woman fraudulently claimed more than £26,000 in benefits by not telling the authorities her husband was working.

Jane Morgan fraudulently claimed £26,658 in income-related and employment and support allowance (ESA) between April 6, 2016, and September 25, 2018.

She appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday after admitting one count of dishonestly failing to notify the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) of a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to social security benefit.

The court heard how before April 6, 2016, Morgan, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic pain and mental health problems, had been eligible for ESA payments but failed to tell the DWP when her husband started working as a plasterer.

Peter Donnison, prosecuting, said: “The benefit was meanstested. She was wrongly receiving it between April 6, 2016, and September 25, 2018. She had been receiving it from 2011-16 before the change in circum-stances and that was correct.

“She didn’t notify the department that her husband became a self-employed plasterer and was declaring his income. She received £26,658 in overpayments.”

Winson Evans, defending, urged the judge to consider Morgan’s “60 years of good character” and said she had begun making repayments.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Bidder QC said: “You are a lady of 60 years and until last year had a clean character, which seems the most damaging fact in this case.”

Judge Bidder sentenced Morgan, of Winston Road, Barry, to a 12-month community order and imposed an order for Morgan to complete a 10-day rehabilitation course. She was also ordered to pay an £85 surcharge.