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A Chiswick woman has been ordered to repay nearly £2,000 in housing benefit after being caught out by Hounslow Council’s Benefit Fraud Unit.

Samantha Lucy Dutton was found guilty of falsely claiming £1,910 in Housing Benefit at Brentford Magistrates’ Court on June 2 2006.

She was caught thanks to Hounslow Council’s participation in the National Fraud Initiative. Every month the Council’s Benefit Fraud Unit checks data that is generated when computer systems in various government departments and financial institutions compare information and refer anomalies for further investigation.

33 year old Dutton of Falcon Close, failed to notify Hounslow Council that she had found work and was no longer claiming income support. However, she continued to claim Housing Benefit which she was not entitled to.

Cllr Gerald McGregor, executive member for finance, said “Taking money from the public purse is theft. I commend the diligence of the team in the successful outcome of this case.”

Samantha Dutton was sentenced to an 18 month Conditional Discharge and ordered to pay £319.00 in costs on top of the falsely claimed £1,910.32.

 

July 1, 2006