A benefits cheat who claimed £34,000 from the state despite having £50,000 in the bank has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Cynthia Green, 60, of Franklin Road, Haddenham, falsely claimed £20,199 in housing benefit, £10,433 in income support and £3,470 in council tax benefit – a total ovepayment of £34,104.
Had she declared her £50,000 in savings her claim would have been cancelled due to the level of capital held.
Aylesbury Crown Court sentenced Green to a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, and ordered her to pay costs of £425 along with an £85 victim surcharge.
Councillor Neil Blake, leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council, which investigation Green alongside the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “Once again a fraudster who thinks by not telling the council about their true circumstances they will be able to steal from the public purse. But because of joint working between agencies and our ability to cross check data there is no hiding place for people who lie about their circumstances. In this case, as with all others, we will pursue the fraudster to recoup all the money taken illegally.”
Anyone with good reason to suspect that benefit fraud is being committed in Aylesbury Vale can provide details, anonymously if necessary, by calling 01296 585570.