Aylesbury benefit cheat brought to justice

Archived press release

Date Published: 25/07/12

An Aylesbury woman who falsely claimed over £7,000 in benefits has been prosecuted.

Janie Horwood, 26, of Fleet Street, appeared at Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court on 23 July and pleaded guilty to three benefit fraud offences.

She was overpaid a total of £7,037 after failing to declare that she was living with her partner who was in paid employment. This was made up of £936 council tax benefit, £3,065 housing benefit and £3,035 income support.

The prosecution was brought by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) following a joint investigation with Aylesbury Vale District Council.

Miss Horwood was ordered to repay the overpaid benefits to AVDC and the DWP, plus costs of £100, and sentenced to a 12 month community order consisting of 100 hours unpaid work.

Councillor Neil Blake, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Potential benefits fraudsters really should take to reading the local press. Every time that there is a successful prosecution it’s made public. Why some people think that they can get away with these crimes is incomprehensible because they should know by now that we work very closely with other agencies to identify fraud and that campaign is delivering results on a regular basis. I’d like to reiterate the message that has been sent out on many occasions - if you commit benefit fraud you will be caught and prosecuted and the lives of you and your family could be ruined.”

Anyone with information that can help catch a benefit cheat, should call AVDC’s confidential
hotline on 01296 585570.

Benefit fraud can also be reported on the council’s website (www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk). People do not have to give their name and they can be assured of complete confidentiality at all times.