Unpaid work for benefits cheat

A Sutton woman has been given a 12-month community order after failing to tell the Department for Employment and Ashfield District Council that her partner had moved into her home.

Michelle Williams (40) of Fackley Road, Stanton Hill, admitted two counts of failing to notify the appropriate authorities of a change in circumstances when she appeared before Mansfield Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 29th January.

Prosecutors said that her partner had moved into her home on 23rd March 2012 and by November 2012 she had been overpaid £5211 in Jobseekers’ Allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit. She was given a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.