Gringley-on-the-hill: Fined for illegal benefit claims

A former Gringley-on-the-Hill resident has been fined £300 after illegally claiming £1,824.88 in benefits over a 14-month period.
Gainsborough Standard In Court logoGainsborough Standard In Court logo
Gainsborough Standard In Court logo

Annouska McQuaid-Blogg appeared before Worksop Magistrates’ Court on 20th June after falsely claiming Housing Benefit amounting to £1,395.49, and Council Tax Benefit of £429.39. This resulted in £364 being paid into her bank account each month that she was not entitled to.

The claims were first made on 22nd September 2011, however McQuaid-Blogg failed to notify Bassetlaw Council that she was in employment between 3rd January 2012 and 17th February 2013. She was therefore prosecuted for one offence under s112 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

In addition to the £300 fine, McQuaid-Blogg was ordered to pay £290 costs and will be required to pay back the full amount claimed for.

Coun Sylvia May, Cabinet Member for Customer and Support Services, said: “The council does not look favourably on those people who take advantage of the benefits system and we will continue to seek out those people who make fraudulent claims and put them before the courts.”