A REDDITCH woman has been given a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to falsely claiming benefits.
Attia Ghaffar, of Lineholt Close, Oakenshaw falsely claimed housing benefits and Jobseekers Allowance totalling £2,811.08 between September 2011 and March 2012.
On February 19 Redditch Magistrates heard Miss Ghaffar applied for these benefits and did not declare her self-employed income.
She was sentenced and ordered to pay a £10 victim surcharge as well as court costs of £85.
In sentencing, magistrates said that this was the end of an unpleasant occurrence in her life and that she was given this punishment due to the fact that she had repaid all of the money fraudulently obtained and was of previous good character.
A Redditch Council spokesman said that this case again demonstrates the importance of anyone claiming benefit declaring their true circumstances and the consequences of not doing so.
Anybody wishing to report their suspicions of benefit fraud can do so by ringing the investigations team on 01527 534011or by emailing details to benefitsfraud@redditchbc.gov.uk.
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