Benefits cheat to pay back £53,570

A MUM of two has to pay back £53,570 she received in benefits – after failing to declare that she lived with her partner.

Kelly-Ann Edwards, 30, failed to tell HM Revenue & Customs that she lived with husband Scott Richards at her home on Grand Avenue, Ely, Cardiff.

Speaking after the hearing, the Department for Work and Pensions said it had been able to prove that Edwards had been overpaid by £18,417.20 in child and working tax credits between April 2015 and December 2016.

A spokesman said that over a four-year period the total loss to public funds amounted to £53,570.74. At Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Edwards pleaded guilty to a charge of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent activity of tax credits.

Defending Edwards, Ms Bridges said Edwards had been living with her husband for five months before she realised she had “made a mistake”.

Edwards then told HM Revenue & Customs she was living with her husband. Ms Bridges also highlighted that Edwards had pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity and had no previous convictions.

Edwards, of Grand Avenue, was sentenced to a 12-month community order. She must pay a fine of £320, along with £85 in court fees and an £85 victim surcharge.

Sentencing, Gareth Davies said: “The offence is serious enough for us to make a community order and it will last for 12 months.”

Edwards must also complete a rehabilitation programme within 10 days.