Woman admits benefit fraud (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Woman admits benefit fraud

9:43am Thursday 9th July 2009

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A Whitefield woman who claimed benefits as a single parent, although she had a partner living with her, has been convicted of benefit fraud.

Melanie Williams, aged 34, of Holly Fold, pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly obtaining housing and council tax benefits totalling £6,710 from October, 2005, to March, 2008. She was given a community punishment order and told to repay the overpaid benefit, and costs of £371, by Bury Magistrates Court.

The offences were committed when Williams lived at Westminster Avenue, Whitefield. She told Bury Council of a change of circumstances, stating her partner had left her, but staff discovered that Williams had never actually declared the partner as resident.

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