Burton pensioner pleads guilty to £10,000 benefit fraud

In Burton, a 66 year old woman has pleaded guilty to two accounts of benefit fraud and has been sentenced to 12 months of community service. She is also liable to pay £181 in court charges and an £85 victim surcharge too.

It was discovered that Marilyn Yardley had claimed more than £10,000 from the Department of Work and Pensions over a three year period. She had failed to inform them that she was working during this time and committing benefit fraud. Solicitors for the DWP confirmed that Ms Yardley had claimed £7,022.67 in housing benefit, £1,144.21 in council tax, and £2,493.05 in pension credit between May 2011 and October 2014.

Her decision not to notify East Staffordshire Borough Council about her change in circumstances meant that she was receiving a grand total of £10,659.93 in benefits while continuing to making earnings from her workplace. Ms Yardley appeared at Cannock Magistrates’ Court last week where she pleaded guilty to two accounts of benefit fraud.

In response, the DWP’s Central England fraud manager Paul Baggaley wanted to emphasise that while there is only a few dishonest people cheating the system, they will continue to “root out the unscrupulous minority” and bring them to justice.

Baggaley also stressed that anyone claiming from the DWP needs to report their change of circumstance – before it is too late. He added: “We are determined to find those we suspect of abusing the welfare system by following up on tip-offs, undertaking surveillance and working with local councils.”

“Deliberately not informing us of a change in your condition that may affect your claim is a crime. Don’t wait for our fraud investigators to find you – tell us of a change now,” Mr Baggaley added.

East Staffordshire Borough Council, meanwhile, reiterated its support for helping the DWP continue to tackle benefit fraud.