Amman Valley woman's benefit fraud
An Amman Valley woman has been sentenced to do unpaid work in the community for benefit fraud.
Pamela Margaret Kinchington appeared before Llanelli magistrates today for sentencing.
She had been convicted in her absence at an earlier hearing last September of making a false statement and failing to declare changes in circumstances, contrary to Section 112 Social Security Administration Act 1992.
The court was told that 55-year-old Kinchington was awarded housing and council tax benefit at her home in Capel Isaf Road, Llanelli, from October 22, 2007, on the basis that her only income was Jobseekers Allowance. When this ceased, she told the Housing Benefit Section that she had no income.
She moved to Dillwyn Street, Llanelli, on January 21, 2008, and again stated that she had no income, maintaining that due to ill health she was unable to work and had been living off money from family and money from selling items on eBay. An investigation identified that she had been employed at the Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli, since October 31, 2007.
Statutory powers were used to obtain details of employment and also bank account details which identified undeclared income. It was established that Kinchington had failed to declare Tax Credit income and had failed to declare earnings from the Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli. She also failed to declare that she had moved from Dillwyn Street, Llanelli, and was further overpaid.
The total overpayment was £4,482.57, consisting of £3,861.18 rent allowance and £621.39 council tax benefit.
Kinchington, of The Cottage, Ynysfrwynen Farm, Grenig Road, Glanamman, was given a 12 months Community Punishment Order and ordered to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work in the community in that time. She was also ordered to pay £663.10 prosecution costs and will have to repay the overpaid benefit.
Council executive board member for resources Cllr Wyn Evans said: “The Council is anxious that as many people as possible claim the housing and council tax benefit that they are rightfully entitled to.
“However, we are also determined to crack down on fraudulent claims that are a drain on the public purse, taking money that could otherwise be used for funding essential services. This offence is taking money from every Council Tax payer.”
Members of the public can report any suspicions of benefit fraud in the county via the Carmarthenshire County Council Fraud Hotline 0800 – 801116 or via the Council website.
Pamela Margaret Kinchington appeared before Llanelli magistrates today for sentencing.
She had been convicted in her absence at an earlier hearing last September of making a false statement and failing to declare changes in circumstances, contrary to Section 112 Social Security Administration Act 1992.
The court was told that 55-year-old Kinchington was awarded housing and council tax benefit at her home in Capel Isaf Road, Llanelli, from October 22, 2007, on the basis that her only income was Jobseekers Allowance. When this ceased, she told the Housing Benefit Section that she had no income.
She moved to Dillwyn Street, Llanelli, on January 21, 2008, and again stated that she had no income, maintaining that due to ill health she was unable to work and had been living off money from family and money from selling items on eBay. An investigation identified that she had been employed at the Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli, since October 31, 2007.
Statutory powers were used to obtain details of employment and also bank account details which identified undeclared income. It was established that Kinchington had failed to declare Tax Credit income and had failed to declare earnings from the Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli. She also failed to declare that she had moved from Dillwyn Street, Llanelli, and was further overpaid.
The total overpayment was £4,482.57, consisting of £3,861.18 rent allowance and £621.39 council tax benefit.
Kinchington, of The Cottage, Ynysfrwynen Farm, Grenig Road, Glanamman, was given a 12 months Community Punishment Order and ordered to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work in the community in that time. She was also ordered to pay £663.10 prosecution costs and will have to repay the overpaid benefit.
Council executive board member for resources Cllr Wyn Evans said: “The Council is anxious that as many people as possible claim the housing and council tax benefit that they are rightfully entitled to.
“However, we are also determined to crack down on fraudulent claims that are a drain on the public purse, taking money that could otherwise be used for funding essential services. This offence is taking money from every Council Tax payer.”
Members of the public can report any suspicions of benefit fraud in the county via the Carmarthenshire County Council Fraud Hotline 0800 – 801116 or via the Council website.
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