Benefits cheat lied to investigators over her partner
A MUM OF TWO falsely claimed more than £30,000 in benefits and then lied to fraud investigators by saying she did not live with her partner.
Tania Vieria claimed income support and housing benefit, but failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions and Cardiff council when her circumstances changed.
Sentencing her at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Neil Bidder QC said the public money could have been spent on someone more deserving.
The court heard she started claiming income support in March 2015 on the basis she was a single mum who was not able to work.
Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said: “Her claim was legitimate at the outset.”
He told the court the payments were made directly into her bank account on the condition she would tell the authorities about any change in her circumstances affecting her entitlement.
The court heard she did not declare that her partner, who was working, had moved in with her.
Fraud investigators from the Department for Work and Pensions interviewed her in March, July and October 2018.
She initially denied living with her partner, but made full admissions in the final interview.
Mr Gobir said the income support overpayment was £10,612.30 and the housing benefit overpayment was £21,288.22 between 2015 and 2018.
The prosecutor said he would not make an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act, as she is already repaying the money.
Vieria, 31, from Mill Road in Ely, Cardiff, admitted two counts of fraud.
Rosamund Rutter, defending, said her client had no previous convictions and she asked for any prison sentence to be suspended, not immediate.
She said Vieria has two children and her relationship with that partner ended.
Ms Rutter told the court there was no evidence her client was living a “luxurious lifestyle” – she was spending the money on her children and day-to-day living.
She said the defendant has been to Citizens Advice about managing debt and is now working as a part-time care assistant.
Judge Bidder asked if Vieria had made any arrangements in case she was sent straight to prison.
Ms Rutter said she did not have any family in Cardiff who could look after her children and an immediate custodial sentence would have a “significant harmful impact” on them.
She added: “She regrets what she has done.”
The court heard she has been paying back £100 a month for the last three months, but got to the stage where she was struggling with the payments.
Judge Bidder said: “I have to sentence you for defrauding both the Department for Work and Pensions and Cardiff council of public money.”
He said he would not punish her children by sending her straight to prison.
Vieria was given a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, as well as complying with a threemonth curfew.