Worksop: Former town woman’s £16,000 benefits fraud

Victoria Roberts appeared before Mansfield magistrates for fraudulently claiming Housing and Council Tax benefits from July 2011 to September 2012 while living on Coniston Road in the town.

Roberts, who now lives in Derby, faced the following charges: Making a false representation, producing a false document and failing to notify the Department of Works and Pensions over a change in circumstances with a view to obtaining benefit.

She was sentenced to four months’ jail suspended for 12 months for a total overpayment of housing benefit, Council Tax benefit and employment and support allowance totalling £15,786.15.

Coun Sylvia May, cabinet member for corporate and support services, said: “I welcome the sentence handed down. And I hope this sends a robust message to the public that fraudulent benefit claims - under any circumstance - will not be accepted.”

The defendant will be punished and costs will be implemented. So it is important to remind the public that we only appreciate honesty from the very beginning. It defrauds the tax payer and places those genuinely entitled to support in greater difficulty.”