Benefit cheat claimed £16,000 while she worked as taxi driver

A BENEFIT claimant pocketed more than £16,000 in Employment and Support Allowance after failing to tell the authorities she was working as a taxi driver.

Janet Lewis was at one stage working for 50 hours a week driving a cab while she continued to claim money from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Sentencing her at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Jenkins told the defendant her offending diverted the funds away from those who were genuinely in need.

The charge related to the three-year period between January 2014 and January 2017.

James Evans, prosecuting, said Lewis was initially entitled to Employment and Support Allowance, but she did not notify the authorities when she decided to take on part-time work.

The court heard she decided to rely on what people told her, rather than seeking advice from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Judge Jenkins said: “What people were telling you was wholly wrong.” She continued to claim the benefit without mentioning she had started working as a selfemployed taxi driver.

Mr Evans said someone tipped off the Department, sparking an investigation, which revealed the total overpayment was £16,635.10.

Lewis, 52, from Nelson Road in Barry, admitted dishonestly failing to notify of a change in her circumstances affecting her entitlement to benefits.

Hashim Salman, defending, emphasised his client had never been in trouble before and was upfront with the investigators, before pleading guilty at the first opportunity.

She was found by the Probation Service to present a low risk of re-offending.

Judge Jenkins noted she has started paying the money back at £130 a month and there will be a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act on March 19.

Lewis was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

The judge also made a year-long community order, requiring her to attend 25 days of a rehabilitation activity.