A REDDITCH woman has been fined by magistrates after pleading guilty to claiming benefits she was not entitled to because her partner lived with her.

Nicla Harris, age 27, of Greenlands Avenue, was sentenced by Redditch Magistrates Court on July 8 after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit amounting to £8,301.25 between February 2011 and August 2012 by failing to declare that her partner was living with her.

The court heard that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) started to investigate this case after a tip-off was made to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline.

Redditch Council was invited to joint the investigation in order for the full extent of offending to be uncovered.

In sentencing, magistrates said that they had taken into account her early guilty plea, her previous good character and that she is already repaying the money to the DWP and the council. She was fined £150, ordered to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

A council spokesman said: “This case again demonstrates the importance of declaring true circumstances when claiming benefit and reporting any changes as they take place. Failure to do so will result in having to repay any benefit claimed incorrectly, may also lead to a criminal record and could have an impact on future claims.”

Anybody wishing to report a suspicion of benefit fraud can email as much detail as possible to benefitsfraud@redditchbc.gov.uk or call the investigation team during office hours on 01527 534011.